USDA is providing $43.2 million in loan guarantees and $11.6 million in grants for 821 projects across the nation to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy usage and costs in their operations. The funding is available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

From 2009 to date, REAP has helped finance more than 11,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that have reduced energy costs for roughly 15,000 rural businesses. (Photo: vencavolrab/Thinkstock)

"Since 2009, the Rural Energy for America Program has helped roughly 15,000 small businesses and farms save enough energy to power about 730,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than five million metric tons annually," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "These investments in clean energy are good for the environment, are good for each business's bottom line and they support the broader rural economy by encouraging the production of renewable energy sources."

Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

Projects include:

-Delaney's Landscape Center, a family-owned business providing plants and landscaping services in Polson, Mont., has been selected to receive a $10,298 REAP grant to install a geothermal renewable energy system to heat its greenhouse. The system is expected to save the business nearly $2,000 per year and generate more than 15,000 kWh of energy. The project also supports USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity by investing in a high-poverty area.

-The Sundry Store, Inc., another family-owned business, providing home improvement tools and household items, is receiving a $15,565 REAP grant to replace its fluorescent- and incandescent-based lighting system with a light-emitting diode (LED) system. The new system is expected to save the Etowah, Tenn., business $13,676 annually and reduce energy usage by 136,766 kWh annually.

From 2009 to date, REAP has helped finance more than 11,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that have reduced energy costs for roughly 15,000 rural businesses. During this period, USDA has provided more than $373 million in grants and almost $481 million in loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business owners. When operational, these projects will generate or save almost 9 million megawatt hours – enough to power more than 730,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more 5 million metric tons in carbon dioxide each year. That is the equivalent of removing more than 1.1 million cars from our roads.

Source: USDA Rural Development