USDA energy program grants more than $2 million to eight Arkansas projects

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A United States Department of Agriculture program to improve energy infrastructure in rural areas is granting over $2 million for Arkansas electrical projects.

USDA officials said the grants from the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) are made to increase access to clean energy while lowering energy bills. The Arkansas grants range from $86,250 to $751,842 with impacts across the state.

Seven of the recipients are businesses that will use the funding to install solar energy equipment to save money by generating the majority of the site’s electrical power. One recipient, Community Venture Foundation, will help potential REAP applicants throughout Arkansas apply for REAP funding, which can be grants or loans.

Grant recipients are:

• Community Venture Foundation, $250,000 for REAP application assistance for farmers and rural small businesses throughout Arkansas. Potential applicants will be given information on how to improve the energy efficiency of their operations and how to use renewable energy technologies and resources, followed by guidance on moving through the application process. Targeted projects include those in distressed or disadvantaged communities and farmers, who will be guided through the process by the foundation.
• Keo Fish Farm Inc., $751,842 to install an 856.8-kilowatt solar array for their fish hatchery in Keo. This project is expected to save $109,995 and replace 1,221,288 kilowatt hours annually.
• Whitaker Grain LLC, $251,136 to purchase and install a 288-kilowatt  solar system. The energy generated from this project will offset electrical usage for on-site grain bins used for drying and storage. This project is expected to save $38,642 and replace 429,350 kilowatt hours annually.

• South Central Pallets, Inc., $250,000 to help the Hatfield pallet manufacturer purchase and install a 207-kilowatt  solar array. This project is expected to save $12,530 and replace 313,258 kilowatt hours annually.
• Mountain Home Lumber LLC, $223,914 to purchase and install a 203-kilowatt  solar array. This project is expected to save $12,672 and produce 262,443 kilowatt hours  annually.
• Dusty Lane Poultry Farm LLC, $149,818 to purchase and install a 161-kilowatt  solar array for their poultry operations in Independence County. This project is expected to save $13,180 yearly and generate 219,682 kilowatt hours annually.
• Jared Smith, $144,564 to help install a 168-kilowatt  solar array for his poultry operation in Batesville. This project is expected to save $9,547 and generate 232,736 kilowatt hours annually.
• Parker Farm LLC, $86,250 to install a 75-kilowatt solar array for their poultry farm in Omaha. The project will generate 104,044 kilowatt hours of energy annually.

The Arkansas projects are among the 300 clean energy projects funded by USDA for $104 million from the REAP program in this cycle. Under the current administration the USDA has invested more than $2.3 billion through REAP for 7,953 projects.

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