U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn announced today more than $4 million in grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation. This funding is made possible in part by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.
“President Biden is creating newfound opportunity for economic growth for small businesses, agriculture producers, while working to sustain our environment right here in Oklahoma,” Corn said. “A key pillar of the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda is ensuring our producers and business owners are not only a part of the clean energy economy but are directly benefitting from it. These grants are a once in a lifetime opportunity to reinvest in our main streets and aide our producers in being able to sustain their land for future generations of Oklahoma producers.”
USDA is investing $266 million in 1,334 renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in 47 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Department is awarding the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), including funding from the landmark Inflation Reduction Act.
In Oklahoma 38 businesses, entities and agricultural producers received grant funding. These projects include wind turbines, solar panels, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and other energy efficiency improvements.
“Thanks to President Biden delivering on his economic promises, we can expect these Oklahoma businesses and agriculture producers to save more than $690,000 a year on their energy costs,” Corn said. “These are real dollars that will make real impacts for strengthening our Oklahoma economy for years to come. There is still an opportunity for applicants to reach out to us for future grant announcements by contacting our State Office at okenergy@usda.gov.”
The following businesses, producers and entities in Oklahoma received grant funding during this round:
- Oklahoma State University, $99,896, This Rural Development investment will be used to help fund the Industrial Assessment Center housed within the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Oklahoma State University.
- Base, Michael J., $43,900, This Rural Development investment will be used to help install a 15 kW wind turbine at an agriculture producer in Geary, Oklahoma.
- Bishop Farms LLC, $39,800, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist an agriculture producer located in Yukon, Oklahoma install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine.
- Howard Genetics Inc., $28,598, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine for an agriculture producer in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
- Wood, Ricky, $79,600, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a gas station in Welch, Oklahoma install a 85.3 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Woodshed Antique Mall LLC, $78,400, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a gas station located in Big Cabin, Oklahoma install a 100.86 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Woodshed of Vinita LLC, $134,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 108.7 kilowatt (kW) solar system in a small business in Vinita, Oklahoma.
- Orizon Aerostructures LLC, $500,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business in Grove, Oklahoma, install a energy efficient improvement upgrades.
- Lindly’s Hardware LLC, $29,550, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 34 kilowatt (kW) solar system in a small business located in Jay, Oklahoma.
- Johnson, Mike, $19,176, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist Mike Johnson, an agriculture producer located in Paoli, Oklahoma, install a 15 kW wind turbine.
- Freeman, CR, $139,400, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 45 kilowatt (KW) wind turbine for an agriculture producer in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma.
- 4T’s Discount Grocery, $95,222, This Rural Development investment will be used to help install a 149 kW solar system at a small business in Hennessey, Oklahoma.
- Duff Farms LLC, $22,912, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist an agriculture producer located in Hobart, Oklahoma install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine.
- Power Plus Genetics LLC, $43,800, This Rural Development investment will be used to help install a 15 kW wind turbine at a small business in Hobart, Oklahoma.
- Duff, Kirk, $23,674, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist an agriculture producer in Hobart, Oklahoma install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine.
- Country Ford Mercury Inc., $246,008, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business in Guthrie, Oklahoma, install a 149 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- John Vance Motors Inc., $283,739, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business in Guthrie, Oklahoma install a 285.16 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Jensen’s Inc., $66,352, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 63.8 kilowatt (kW) solar system in a small business located in Fairview, Oklahoma.
- C&C Affiliated LLC, $23,504, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a solar photovoltaic system. C&C Affiliated LLC. is a rural small business located in Madill, Oklahoma.
- Woodshed of Langley LLC, $200,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a gas station in Langley, Oklahoma install a 159.9 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Matador Foods LLC, $254,401, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business in Blanchard, Oklahoma install energy efficiency improvement coolers and LED lights.
- AJD Investments LLC, $145,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business located in Norman, Oklahoma install a 96.2 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Checotah Business Park LLC, $69,828, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 75.9 kilowatt (kW) solar system for a small business located in Checotah, Oklahoma.
- American Heritage Beef Company LLC, $31,588, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a solar photovoltaic system for American Heritage Beef Company, a rural small business in Nowata, Oklahoma.
- Woodshed of Monkey Island LLC, $228,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a gas station located in Afton, Oklahoma install a 165.56 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Progressive Development Corporation LLC, $140,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business located in Stillwater, Oklahoma install a 52.8 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Viand Farms LLC, $22,000, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist an agriculture producer located in Cushing, Oklahoma install a 15 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- 3B Industries Inc., $77,070, This Rural Development investment will be used to install an EEI HVAC system at a small business in Comanche, Oklahoma.
- Gray, Lyndon, $43,800, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 15 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine for an agriculture producer in Marlow, Oklahoma.
- Milo’s Tea Company Inc., $547,960, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a tea company in Owasso, Oklahoma install a 721 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Graf, Mark, $77,600, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist an agriculture producer located in Colony, Oklahoma install a 15 kilowatt (kW) Wind Turbine.
- Graf, Mitchell, $43,800, This Rural Development investment will be used to help install a 15 kW wind turbine at an agriculture producer in Carnegie, Oklahoma.
- Sanctuary on 4th LLC, $23,476, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a small business in Alva, Oklahoma install energy efficiency improvement windows.
- CSCO Properties LLC, $19,965, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist CSCO Properties LLC Inc. a rural small business in Enid, Oklahoma, install energy efficient improvements.
- Delbert Joyner, $3,600, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a cattle and crop farming operation in Carrier, Oklahoma, install a 2.8 kilowatt (kW) solar system.
- Joshua Winn, $12,600, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist a cattle and crop farming operation in Welling, Oklahoma, install a roof mount solar system.
- McAlester-Union Marketing Company Inc., $12,313, This Rural Development investment will be used to assist McAlester-Union Marketing Company Inc., a rural small business in McAlester, Oklahoma, install energy efficient lighting.
- Boehs Building Supply LLC, $36,162, This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 46 kilowatt (kW) solar system in a small business located in Helena, Oklahoma.
Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. Eligible applicants include rural small business owners and agricultural producers. The program is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which is working to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits of certain federal investments reach communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.
The Department expects to make additional awards in the coming months.
USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
USDA 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. To learn more, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/ok.
