STILLWATER – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development approved grants to 32 businesses, entities and agricultural producers in Oklahoma 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.
The projects – including three in southwest Oklahoma – will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities, and will reduce energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families, Oklahoma State USDA Director Kenneth Corn said.
These projects include wind turbines, solar panels, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and other energy efficiency improvements. “Investing in clean energy projects in small business operations and family farms will build, from the bottom up and middle out, a better and more resilient economy,” Corn said.
• Martin Farm Opera-tion in Marlow received a $50,297 grant to install a 15-kilowatt wind turbine that will produce an estimated 34,268 kilowatt hours in the first year, “which is enough electricity to power three homes,” said Joel Mease, public information officer for USDA Rural Development.
• White Brothers Cattle of Ninnekah received a $12,750 grant that will pay for installation of a 4.91 kW solar system estimated to produce 6,750 kWh in year one, which is enough electricity to power half a home, Mease said.
• Darbys’ Big Furniture of Duke was awarded a $52,800 grant to install a 49.8 kW solar system. It its first year it will produce an estimated 75,756 kWh, enough electricity to power six homes, Mease said.
The USDA awarded the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program, including funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
The USDA’s REAP program helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, address climate change and lower energy costs for American families, Corn said.
“Since the Inflation Reduction Act’s enactment, we can expect more than 100 Oklahoma businesses and agriculture producers combined to save more than a million dollars a year on energy costs due to these investment in clean energy,” Corn said. “These are real dollars that will make real impacts for strengthening our Oklahoma economy for many 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.”