Op-ed: USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Invests in Ohio’s Future
By Jonathan McCracken
Rural communities play an integral role in helping Ohio’s economy thrive. Whether that’s the more than 13 million acres being farmed or the thousands of small businesses and manufacturers that provide jobs to our friends and neighbors.
As State Director for USDA Rural Development in Ohio, I know firsthand the importance of these farms and businesses in ensuring a strong rural economy. Yet, we all know that for everyone from a “mom-and-pop” grocery store to a dairy, every dollar saved is a dollar that can be put right back into their business.
That is why programs like USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) are so important. By helping farmers and business owners invest in their operations, USDA Rural Development contributes directly to the vitality, versatility, and sustainability of Ohio’s rural economies that support and sustain our rural communities.
Now one of our most widely used programs, REAP was created as part of the 2008 Farm Bill to help family farms and rural businesses invest in money saving renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided historic levels of funding to expand the program and make it available to more rural small businesses and agricultural producers to lower operating costs. Whether it’s by installing wind, solar, geothermal, or energy efficient improvements like new lighting or HVAC systems, there are countless technologies and equipment that can be funded by REAP.
In just this past year, USDA Rural Development invested $34.4 million in 199 Ohio farms and rural small businesses through REAP. From grain dryers to solar arrays to energy efficient lighting, across 64 of 88 Ohio counties, we have assisted small business owners, manufacturers, and farms with lowering their energy costs while also addressing the growing threat posed by climate change. All told, the economic impact of the REAP program in Ohio is more than $70 million.
For example, in Grafton, Ohio, Ralph Pence, owner of Albert’s Fresh Market, used a REAP grant to install energy efficient LED lights and replace roof insulation. With the money saved, Mr. Pence invested in his employees and made improvements to enhance the safety and shopping experience for his customers, keeping the only large-scale grocery in the community open.
In Paulding County, Ohio Rural Development funded a solar array at the Goyings family farm which provides enough power for the entire operation. And In Warren County, I visited a farm where a new energy efficient grain dryer will not only cut down on propane costs but will also save time that had been spent monitoring outdated equipment.
Lower utility bills mean this important sector of Ohio’s economy can re-invest savings back into their businesses, benefitting workers and communities, creating jobs, and improving quality of life. These investments have a ripple effect, creating and sustaining jobs across the state for workers who manufacture and install renewable energy systems and energy saving products. Without a doubt, REAP is truly a win-win proposition for Ohio that is creating new opportunities and improving quality of life across our great state.
To learn more about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), visit our website or call 614-255-2400.
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Jonathan McCracken is State Director for USDA Rural Development in Ohio. Recently, he served as a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). For the past 15 years, he served in legislative positions in agriculture, rural development, food, nutrition, energy, and environmental policy. A native of Wilmington, Ohio, he is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the George Washington University Law School. |
USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta, and Massillon. To learn more about funding opportunities for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit Ohio | Rural Development (usda.gov).
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