U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn today announced that USDA is investing more than $3 million in renewable energy projects to lower energy costs, generate new income and create jobs for Oklahoma farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack made an announcement during a visit to University of Nebraska Omaha, where he discussed USDA’s $124 million investment efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration to invest in rural communities nationwide. Most of the projects announced today are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which are the administration’s efforts to reduce costs on businesses and consumers. In total, this funding advances the President’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up by increasing competition in agricultural markets, lowering costs, and expanding clean energy.
“These investments directed by President Biden are spurring economic activity in nearly every corner of Oklahoma and at the same time reducing the burden on our rural businesses and farming operations by lowering their energy costs,” Corn said. “The investments create good-paying jobs and save people money that are often reinvested in Oklahoma rural communities.”
Through the REAP program, USDA provides grants and loans to help ag producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs. These investments will cut energy costs for farmers and ag producers that can instead be used to create jobs and new revenue streams for people in their communities. Projects funded in Oklahoma include:
Renewable Energy Programs
- Ground Zero Shelters, $429,615
- R Base Farms Inc., $30,552
- Park Hills Motel Inc., $92,500
- Blessed B Ranch LLC, $34,750
- Cade Nickeson Farm Operation, $51,449
- KCL Enterprises LLC, $449,519
- HTM Underground LLC, $92,424
- Foundation Energy Fund VII-A LP, $432,500
- Broce Manufacturing Co. Inc., $540,072
- Woodshed of Adair LLC, $387,500
- Newell Coach Corporation, $423,500
Energy Efficiency Programs
- 106 Randolph Place Inc., $52,517
- Newell Coach Corporation, $78,874
- Newton Wall Company, $33,728
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through September 30, 2024. The funding includes a dedicated portion for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.
“Thanks to President Biden delivering on his economic promises, we can expect these Oklahoma businesses and agriculture producers to save more than half a million dollars 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.”
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America. To learn more, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/ok.
