COLUMBIA, MO, August 24, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens today announced USDA Rural Development is investing over $698 thousand in critical infrastructure to combat climate change across rural Missouri. The investments are projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.

“Rural Missouri needs to make investments in our communities that will strengthen their resilience,” Wilkens said. “We can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure. These investments will strengthen rural Missouri, create good-paying jobs and save money on energy costs.”

The funding reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development helps rural residents, businesses and communities address economic development, infrastructure and social service needs. 

These investments reflect the goals of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which addresses immediate economic needs and includes the largest ever federal investment in clean energy for the future. For example, the Act includes $14 billion in funding for USDA programs that support the expansion of biofuels and help rural businesses and electric cooperatives transition to renewable energy and zero-emission systems.

Background:  

USDA is making these investments through three programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs are Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants, and Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Grants.

The investments will help state and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes construct, renovate or purchase and install equipment for essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. They also will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems as well as make energy efficiency improvements. The investments will also help with energy audits, renewable energy technical assistance, and renewable energy site assessments. Some examples include:

• City of Malden will use a $500,000 Community Facility Disaster Grant to assist with the purchase of a fire vehicle, street sweeper, and eight new mowers. The equipment purchase will help the city continue to provide essential community services to the citizens of Malden.
• Eddie Stone will use a $11,250 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a 15 kW solar array for his livestock and grain production farm in Laddonia, Missouri. This project is expected to save $1,835 per year.  It will replace 16,760 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the farm’s energy use) per year.
• Mommens Heating and Cooling LLC will use a REAP grant of $6,924 to install a 10 kW solar array.  Mommens Heating and Cooling LLC is a heating and air installation service provider in Mexico, Missouri. This project is expected to save $941 per year. It will replace 13,542 kilowatt hours (kWh) (80 percent of the company's energy use) per year. 
• Summers Pharmacy Inc. will use a $20,000 REAP grant to install a 36.86 kW and a 17 kW solar array to their Clinton and Butler, Missouri business locations. This project is expected to save $6,407 per year. It will replace 69,645 kilowatt hours (kWh) (98 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes. 
• Clifford Thornburg Attorney at Law will use a $5,910 REAP grant to install a 5.94 kW solar array system in Salisbury, Missouri. This project is expected to save $1,350 per year. It will replace 8,545 kilowatt hours (kWh) (86 percent of the company's energy use) per year.
• Venue On Brick LLC will use a $11,500 REAP grant to install a 30.78 kW solar array. Venue On Brick LLC is a wedding and venue event business in Ozark, Missouri. This project is expected to save $5,572 per year. It will replace 40,314 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year.
• Plaza Southwest LLC will use a $19,999 REAP grant to purchase and install a 47.62 kW solar array system. Plaza Southwest LLC is a commercial rental business located in Republic, Missouri. This project is expected to save $9,091 per year. It will replace 73,318 kilowatt hours (kWh) (86 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
• Fink Enterprises Inc will use a $20,000 REAP grant to install an 89.68 kW solar array system. Fink Enterprises, Inc. is a commercial storage facility in Carthage, Missouri. This project is expected to save $19,047 per year.  It will replace 131,862 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.
• Brookfield Tractor will use a $20,000 REAP grant to install a 62.5 kW solar array. Brookfield Tractor is a farm implement retail business in Brookfield, Missouri. This project is expected to save $8,885 per year. It will replace 116,799 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 10 homes.
• Best Broadcasting Inc. will use a $9,720 REAP Grant to install a 19.4 kW solar array. Best Broadcasting Inc. is a radio station (KFMZ/KZBK) in Brookfield, Missouri. This project is expected to save $1,742 per year. It will replace 25,297 kilowatt hours (kWh) (89 percent of the business's energy use) per year.
• Macon Coca-Cola Bottling Company will use a $20,000 REAP grant to install a 46.98 kW solar array system. Macon Coca-Cola Bottling Company is a soft drink bottling business in Macon, Missouri. This project is expected to save $6,121 per year. It will replace 71,831 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power six homes.
• Bowling Green C & R Inc. will use a $20,000 REAP grant to install a 300 kW solar array system. Bowling Green C & R Inc. is a grocery store in Fayette, Missouri. This project is expected to save $32,219 per year. It will replace 392,911 kilowatt hours (kWh) (34 percent of the company's energy use) per year, which is enough electricity to power 36 homes.
• Glass Pro LLC will use a $3,515 REAP grant to install a 25 kW solar array system. Glass Pro LLC is a commercial glass replacement and sales business in Branson, Missouri. This project is expected to save $4,271 per year. It will replace 30,949 kilowatt hours (kWh) (84 percent of the company's energy use) per year.
• Oceanic Creative L.L.C. will use a $18,720 REAP grant to install a 25.6 kW solar array system. Oceanic Creative L.L.C. is a small vacation rental and wedding venue in Reeds Spring, Missouri. This project is expected to save $3,152 per year. It will replace 34,807 kilowatt hours (kWh) (100 percent of the company's energy use) per year.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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/mo. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate, smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo, by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.

If you’d like to subscribe to Missouri USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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