Projects aim to lower costs, expand access to clean energy and strengthen businesses

PUBLISHED ON November 22, 2024

TOPEKA, Kan. – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas Director Christy Davis has announced that Rural Development is investing $2,665,042 to lower costs, expand clean energy production and strengthen Kansas farms and small businesses.

USDA is making the investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

“Rural Development is ensuring farmers and rural small business owners have the resources they need for the future,” Davis said. “These investments will help Kansas communities with lower costs and better availability of clean energy.”

The announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 39 other states. The details of the Kansas Projects are:

• A $42,500 grant will help install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine for Mark Eitel, an ag producer in Lane County. This project is expected to generate 40,464 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $54,750 grant will help S&K Agronomy, of Hiawatha, purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine. The project is expected to generate 38,831 kWh of electricity per year, which is all the company’s electricity use and enough to power three homes.
• A $57,250 grant will help Junior Nelson Farms Inc. purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine to support their agricultural operation in Troy. The project is expected to generate 33,593 kWh of electricity per year, which is all the company’s electricity use and enough to power three homes.
• A $57,250 grant will help Johnson Farms Inc. purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine to support their agricultural operation in Bendena. The project is expected to replace 35,804 kWh of electricity per year, which is all the company’s electricity use and enough to power three homes.
• A $57,250 grant will help Gerald Boos purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine to support his agricultural operation in Denton. The project is expected to generate 32,066 kWh of electricity per year, which is all the company’s electricity use and enough to power three homes.
• A $77,047 grant will help update refrigeration equipment for Kiers Thriftway, a grocery store in Clay Center. The project will save 74,076 kWh annually and lower the business’s annual energy usage by 13 percent.
• A $60,359 grant will help purchase and install a 27.5 kW solar array for Business Logistics LLC, a lessor of nonresidential buildings in Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 40,319 kWh per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $54,941 grant will help purchase and install a 31.395 kW solar array for Clay County Lumber and Supply LLC of Clay Center. The project is estimated to replace 40,117 kWh per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $144,675 grant will help purchase and install a 130 kW solar array for Waltons Inc., a merchant wholesaler in Bel Aire. The project is estimated to replace 182,617 kWh per year, enough energy to power 17 homes.
• A $71,408 grant will help purchase and install a 50.4 kW solar array for Bender Steel and Repair Inc., a building architectural and metal work business in Valley Center. The project is estimated to replace 77,289 kWh per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
• A $27,504 grant will help purchase and install two photo voltaic solar systems with a total system size of 12.64 kW for Re:Done LLC, a residential home remodeling contractor located in Manhattan. The project is estimated to generate 18,833 kWh annually and replace 85 percent of the business’s annual energy needs.
• A $64,974 grant will help purchase and install a 40.74 kW solar array for TK Investment Group LLC, a lessor of non-residential buildings in Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 62,395 kWh per year, enough energy to power five homes.
• A $189,950 grant will help purchase and install a 93.5 kW solar array for Nation Inc., a specialized design services company in Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 144,047 kWh per year, enough energy to power 13 homes.
• A $551,684 grant will help purchase and install a 648.6 kW solar array for Kejr Inc., a fabricated metal manufacturer in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 842,241 kWh per year, enough energy to power 77 homes.
• A $126,000 grant will help purchase and install a 150 kW solar array for Carrico Implement Co Inc., a farm and garden wholesaler in Beloit. The project is estimated to replace 221,226 kWh per year, enough energy to power 20 homes.
• A $27,500 grant will help purchase and install a 9.12 kW solar array for Advance Seal Kansas LLC, a drywall and insulation company in Pratt. The project is estimated to generate 12,845 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $1,000,000 grant will help purchase and install a 1,499 kW solar array for Crestwood Inc., a kitchen cabinet and countertop manufacturer in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 2,166,776 kWh per year, enough energy to power 196 homes.

Background:

The REAP program enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. USDA Rural Development 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

— USDA Rural Development Kansas