USDA to invest $9.3M in projects to help farmers, ag producers, rural businesses lower energy costs
Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Bette Brand announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $9.3 million in grants for projects in all states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to help farmers, ag producers, and rural-based businesses and institutions reduce their energy costs.
“Lowering energy costs helps rural businesses improve their bottom line and create jobs,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to increasing economic development in America’s rural communities through strong partnerships because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA will provide the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in the REAP program in coming weeks. Recipients can use REAP funding for a variety of needs, such as conducting energy audits, installing renewable energy systems, and making energy efficiency improvements.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
