7 South Dakota Rural Entities Receive USDA Energy Grants

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced that the USDA has selected 450 projects nationwide that are focused on helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.

Funding is through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.

South Dakota entities receiving grants, the amount and project:

Martins, Inc., $7,698 Flex Fuel Pump; Drake Company, LLC, $14,089, Solar Array; Vogt’s Repair/Todd Vogt, $17,692, Energy Efficiency Improvements; Earth Goods, $4,021, Energy Efficiency Improvements; Ulti-Med/ShinAmerica, $8,273, Energy Efficiency Improvements; Flagshooter LLC, $35,638, Solar Array and Wind Turbine; and Larry Sorensen, $14,227, Geothermal System.

"The Obama administration and USDA are helping agricultural producers and rural smallbusiness owners reduce their energy costs and consumption – and by doing so is helping to create jobs, preserve our natural resources, protect the environment and strengthen the bottom line for businesses." said Vilsack. "This is part of the administration's "all of the above" energy strategy. Stable energy costs create an environment for sustainable job growth in rural America."

According to the USDA, the grants also include $412,304 in funding to 20 agriculturalproducers and rural businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energysystems.

REAP offers funds for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other funding sources for businesses. In all, USDA announcednearly $7.4 million in energy grants.

For a complete listing of Rural Energy for America Program grant recipients, please click here.