INDIANA (WFIE) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Thursday that they are funding new projects in six Hoosier counties.

According to a release, that funding will be used to expand access to clean energy and strengthen Indiana farms and small businesses.

USDA says they are making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

REAP allows agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements.

Rural Development Indiana Acting State Director Curtis Johnson says the investment totals to more than $2.4 million in grants.

Of the counties awarded, Vanderburgh County and Dubois County are among them.

A release shows in Vanderburgh County, Koberstein Holdings, Inc. will use a $131,394 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 450 kilowatt solar array. This will save the business $17,110 annually and replace 131,667 kilowatt hours (130 percent) annually with enough electricity to power ten homes.

In Dubois County, J&S Hasneour Farms LLC will use a $99,500 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 69.9 kilowatt solar array. This project will save the business $10,591 annually and replace 93,530 kilowatt hours (26 percent) annually, enough electricity to power seven homes.

Below is the list of Hoosier awardees:

• In Fulton County, Smith Grain Inc. will use a $182,423 grant to make energy-efficiency improvements to its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a grain dryer. This project will save the farm $76,640 annually and replace 4,680,436 kilowatt hours (kWh) (61 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 360 homes.
• In Vanderburgh County, Koberstein Holdings, Inc. will use a $131,394 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations.  Project funds help purchase and install a 450 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $17,110 annually and replace 131,667 kilowatt hours (kWh) (130 percent) annually with enough electricity to power ten homes.
• In St. Joseph County, Charles S. Hayes, dba Hayes Towers, will use a $162,000 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 255.68 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $16,350 annually and generate 243,418 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, enough electricity to power 18 homes.
• In Dubois County, J&S Hasneour Farms LLC will use a $99,500 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 69.9 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $10,591 annually and replace 93,530 kilowatt hours (kWh) (26 percent) annually, enough electricity to power seven homes.
• In Jasper County, S&S Farms LP will use a $865,131 grant to develop a renewable energy system for their operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 60 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $68,227 annually and replace 736,405 kilowatt hours (kWh) (112 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 56 homes.
• In Marshall County, Sequel Wire & Cable LLC, a copper wire manufacturer, will use a $1,000,000 grant to develop a renewable energy system for its operations. Project funds help purchase and install a 1298.5 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will save the business $124,431 annually and replace 1,800,432 kilowatt hours (kWh) (25 percent) annually, enough electricity to power 138 homes.

To learn more, you can visit usda.gov.

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