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 combating 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 benefiting 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
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