(INDIANAPOLIS) – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Indiana Michael Dora today announced the funding of $109,195 for projects that will reduce energy costs in the Hoosier state.
“These federal funds will assist eight businesses with lowering their energy costs to improve their bottom line,” said Dora. “These energy savings measures will reduce the operating costs for these businesses and allow them to invest in equipment, products, and services to expand their operations.”
Recipients in Indiana include:
- Home Sweet Home Properties, LLC, will receive $1,669 to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of LED lighting throughout the building. Home Sweet Home Properties, is a small business, leases commercial buildings with office space available for lease to tenants for commercial uses.
- Home Sweet Home Properties, LLC, will receive $14,109 to purchase and install a 22.44 kwh solar array. Home Sweet Home Properties, which is a small business, leases commercial buildings with leased office space to tenants for commercial uses.
- Premier Roofing & Construction, LLC will receive $14,476 to purchase and install a 12.6 kW solar array.
- Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative will receive $25,000 to invest in projects throughout central and southern Indiana. Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a generation and transmission cooperative serving 18-member electric cooperatives in central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois.
- Treat’s Squire Shop will receive $1,500 to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of LED lighting throughout their buildings. Treat’s Squire Shop sells men’s clothing as well as bridal attire.
- N & L Pork, Inc. will receive $20,000 to purchase and install a 111-kW solar array.
- Darrel G. Erb will receive $12,441 to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a grain dryer. Erb owns and operates a family farm that raises oilseed and grain in Francisville, Indiana.
- Bowman & Bowman Farms, Inc. will receive $20,000 to purchase and install a 37-kW solar array.
Dora’s announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding 58 grants for projects in 17 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (PDF, 146 KB) to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers, and rural-based businesses and institutions.
USDA is providing the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Congress created REAP in the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized it in the 2018 Farm Bill. The program helps increase U.S. energy independence by expanding the private-sector supply of renewable energy.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
