Rural Businesses Will Receive Nearly $1.7 Million for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
United States Department of Agriculture
TOPEKA – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced that USDA is making investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower energy costs, generate new income and strengthen the resilience of small businesses in Kansas.
“When we help small Kansas businesses improve energy efficiency, we are making an investment in the future of the state’s agricultural communities directly affected by the ravages of climate change.” Davis said.
USDA is investing $1.68 million in 22 renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in Kansas. The Department is awarding the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes 46 other states and two territories.
The details of the Kansas projects are:
· A $39,942 grant will help purchase and install a 22.4 kW roof mounted solar array at Bank of Holyrood in Holyrood. The project is estimated to replace 31,974 kWh annually, enough energy to power three homes. Bank of Holyrood has 12 employees.
· A $65,632 grant will help install a 71.34 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system at Development Inc., a small-business holding company in Leavenworth. The project will save the business $13,769 annually and replace 105,919 kWh (88 percent of present level). Development Inc. has one employee.
· A $22,328 grant will help purchase and install a 20 kW roof mounted solar array at Viking Auto Supply Inc. in Lindsborg. The project is estimated to replace 27,001 kWh annually, enough energy to power two homes. Viking Auto Supply has four employees.
· A $50,064 grant will help purchase and install a 52.08 kW ground mounted solar array for Ackerman Supply Inc., a hardware store in Beloit. The project is estimated to replace 59,140 kWh annually, enough energy to power five homes. Ackerman Supply has 15 employees.
· A $16,227 grant will help install an 18.48 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system at Charles Bebermeyer’s agricultural operation in Hiawatha. This project will save $2,780.54 and generate 16,192 kWh annually. Charles Bebermeyer currently has one employee.
· A $12,911 grant will help purchase and install a 12 kW rooftop solar array for Charles Wray, an oil producer and grain farmer in Sawyer. The project is estimated to replace 17,952 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home, and save 21 jobs.
· A $19,656 grant will help purchase and install a 16.38 kW ground mounted solar array for Cow Camp Inc., a cattle feedlot in Ramona. The project is estimated to replace 26,974 kWh per year, enough energy to power two homes. Cow Camp currently has nine employees.
· A $19,620 grant will help DIY Enterprises LLC purchase and install a 22 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. DIY Enterprises owns Baldwin Power Wash, a car wash in Baldwin City. The project is expected to replace 32,394 kWh of electricity per year, which is 81 percent of the company's electrical usage and enough to power 4.5 homes. The project is expected to save the company $4,378 per year.
· A $7,619 grant will help purchase and install a 9.6 kW rooftop solar array for James Peroutek, a corn producer in Esbon. The project is estimated to replace 10,595 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home, and save one job.
· A $13,644 grant will help purchase and install a 6.16 kW solar array for JDR Painting Services Inc. in Hays. This project will realize $975 per year in savings and produce 9,360 kWh, 92 percent of their current usage and enough energy to power one home.
· A $6,376 grant will help install a new energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Kelly's Kennels LLC in McLouth. This project will save $255.26 and 4,006 kWh per year. Kelly's Kennels currently has one employee.
· A $19,796 grant will help purchase and install a 5.76 kW rooftop solar array for Salted Creamery, an ice cream and frozen desert manufacturer in Newton. The project is estimated to generate 6,192 kWh per year and save one job.
· A $6,956 grant will help purchase and install a 7.9 kW roof mounted solar array for Ride On, a bike shop in Miltonvale. The project is estimated to generate 11,890 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home.
· A $14,000 grant will help purchase and install an 18 kW roof mounted solar array for Mark McGinn, an agricultural producer in Sedgwick. The project is estimated to replace 17,764 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home. Mark McGinn currently has three employees.
· A $19,692 grant will help purchase and install a high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, window replacement and LED lighting for Mick Creative Studios in Osborne County. This project will save 8,570 kWh, 25 percent of annual usage.
· A $298,760 grant will help purchase and install a 499 kW roof mounted solar array at Titan Trailer Mfg. Inc. in Waterville. The project is estimated to replace 648,943 kWh annually, enough energy to power 61 homes. Titan Trailer has 92 employees.
· A $965,840 grant will help purchase and install a 585 kW roof mounted solar array at a Wichita Sports Forum LLC, a fitness-and-recreation center in Wichita. The project is estimated to replace 827,387 kWh annually, enough energy to power 78 homes. Wichita Sports Forum has 35 employees.
· A $19,800 grant will help purchase and install an 18 kW solar array for Styles Dance Centre LLC in Hays. This project will realize $2,851 per year in savings and generate 27,778 kWh, enough energy to power two homes.
· An $18,711 grant will help Sunshine's Diner LLC purchase and install a 17.32 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. Sunshine's Diner is a full-service restaurant in Thayer. The project is expected to replace 24,839 kWh per year, 89 percent of the company's usage and enough energy to power 3.4 homes.
· A $6,166 grant will help TCK Agri-Services LLC purchase and install a 10.4 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. TCK Agri-Services is a farming operation near Udall. The project is expected to generate 15,738 kWh per year, which will replace over 100 percent of the company's usage and is enough energy to power 2.2 homes.
· A $16,164 grant will help Meadowlark Farm LLC purchase and install a 14.8 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. Meadowlark Farm is a pick-your-own orchard near Rose Hill. The project is expected to replace 21,982 kWh per year, 62 percent of the company's usage and enough energy to power 2.2 homes.
· A $22,727 grant will help purchase and install a 41 kW roof mounted solar array for Keeott Farms Inc. in Clay Center. The project is estimated to replace 53,720 kWh annually, enough energy to power five homes. Keott Farms has nine employees.
The Department expects to make additional awards in the coming months.
USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underused renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.