TOPEKA&nbsp;– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen has announced that
USDA is <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/KS_REAPprojects_2020EE.xls">investing
$558,552</a> to make energy efficiency improvements and reduce energy costs for
farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions in rural Kansas.
“By
improving the energy efficiency of farms and businesses, energy expenses are
decreased and new opportunities for improvement are created elsewhere,” said Hinrichsen.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue,
USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural Kansas in building stronger and
healthier communities through energy efficiency, because we know when rural
America thrives, all of America thrives.”Some of the recipients of the funding include the following.Conway
Springs-Hired
Man's Grocery and Grill: &nbsp;A $28,856 grant
will be used&nbsp;to purchase and install energy efficient coolers and
freezers. The project is estimated to save 68,041 (63.42%)&nbsp;kWh per year,
which is&nbsp;enough energy to power six homes.&nbsp; Sabetha-Gene's Thriftway:
An $82,682 grant will be used to purchase and install new energy efficient
refrigerators and freezers. The project is estimated to save 346,419 kWh (56%)
per year, which is enough energy to power 33 homes.Coffeyville- Berg
ReInvigorations LLC: A $49,072 grant will be used to purchase and install
energy efficient lighting, garage doors, sawmill and handling components used
to responsibly harvest and processes regional hardwoods&nbsp;from Oklahoma and
Kansas. The project is estimated to&nbsp;save 176,135 kWh (65.78%)&nbsp;per
year, which&nbsp;is enough energy to power 16 homes.&nbsp; Emporia- Reeble's Country
Mart and Good's Cash Saver grocery stores. A $60,766 grant will be used&nbsp;to
purchase and install energy efficient coolers and freezers. The project is
estimated to&nbsp;save 298,810 (40.99%) kWh per year, which&nbsp;is enough
energy to power 28 homes.&nbsp;Additional
projects will also be funded in:Arkansas City – Steamy Joe Restaurant
Barton – Leon HoffmanCaldwell – Red Barn Family
RestaurantColdwell – Double J FoodsFt. Scott – CJM AssociatesHumboldt – Welch MarketInman – Gordon SchmidtLincoln – Heller ChiropracticMcPherson – Salina SunsetMound Ridge – Eugene GoeringNewton – G5 Mainstreet InvestmentsPratt – Schmidtberger Family InvestmentsUSDA
is investing in <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/KS_REAPprojects_2020EE.xls">17 rural small
businesses and ag producers</a> through the <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/mn">Rural Energy for
America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems &amp; Energy Efficiency
Improvement Grants and Guaranteed Loans</a>. Investments can used for renewable
energy systems such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. REAP
funding can also be used for energy audits and to make energy efficiency
improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems, insulation, lighting
and refrigeration.Interested
parties should contact their local <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/MN-RBSServiceMap.pdf">Kansas area office</a> for information
about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also
visit <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee">https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee</a> to learn more
about how the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program will be streamlined under the OneRD
Guarantee Loan Initiative beginning October 1, 2020.In April 2017, President Donald
J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural
Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could
promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary
Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings
included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local
and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural
America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the
task force. To view the report in its
entirety, please view the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf">Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on
Agriculture and Rural Prosperity</a> (PDF, 5.4 MB). In
addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-task-force-infographic.pdf">Rural Prosperity infographic</a> (PDF, 190 KB).USDA Rural Development
provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs
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 areas. For more
information, visit <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/ks">www.rd.usda.gov/ks</a>

USDA invests more than $354,000 in energy efficiency