Millions available for renewable energy and energy efficiency loans, grantsWASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $62.5 million in loans and grants for 705 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 45 states and Puerto Rico under the Rural Energy for America Program, an important initiative to help rebuild and revitalize rural America.
Renewable energy funding from the department has helped many rural businesses.
Ohio
Ohio saw a marked increase in projects approved compared to last year. During this funding cycle 40 Ohio applications totaling $11,976,620 were awarded.
For example, Schmack Biomass-OARDC, LLC received a $1.3 million rural development loan/grant combination which they will use to install an anaerobic digester.
The digester will process organic biomass to generate more than 3 million kWh of electricity per year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture also selected Ridge View Farms in Seneca County, Ohio, to receive a $42,750 grant to replace an inefficient grain dryer with a more efficient unit.
The new dryer will reduce the farm’s energy consumption by more than 32 percent.
Promoted
These grants and loan guarantees will continue to be promoted to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to assist them in developing renewable energy systems and in making energy efficient improvements to their operations.
Loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits.
More information
More information on the program, which was authorized under the 2008 farm bill, is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. All awards are grants unless otherwise noted.
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