West Virginia Press Association
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – On Oct. 31, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development West Virginia State Director Ryan Thorn announced that Rural Development is investing $4.5 million in loans and grant funding to 24 small businesses and agricultural producers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“West Virginia small business and agricultural producers are the backbone of our local economies. When we invest in our small business owners and ag producers we are investing in a brighter and prosperous future for our rural communities,” said Thorn. “These investments will allow these businesses to make their operations more efficient and realize millions of dollars of energy savings – savings they can reinvest back into their businesses, back into their employees, and communities. Today’s announcement is delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to help rural West Virginia by building the economy and creating new opportunities from the middle out and bottom up.”
This funding allows these small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in energy efficient equipment and renewable energy systems that lead to enhanced operations and lowered energy costs. Combined, the awarded entities will realize $15.5 million in energy savings over the useful life of the projects. Funding for many of these projects was made available through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. The investments also advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow and diversify the nation’s economy.
Since 2021, Rural Development has invested more than $14.8 million through REAP in 154 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements.
Here are examples of the investments being announced today:
- In Cabell County, J.H. Fletcher & Co., a family-owned underground mining equipment manufacturer, will use a $94,737 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to its operations by upgrading to LED lighting. This project will realize $40,127 a year in savings and will save 304,978 kWh annually.
- In Raleigh County, Winterplace Ski Resort will use a grant of $468,786 to upgrade the interior lighting, rooftop gas heaters, exterior lighting, snow making machines and walk-in freezers. This project will realize $216,206 a year in savings and will reduce energy consumption by 41 percent or 1,158,397 kWh annually.
- In Hardy County, the South Branch Inn, a family-owned business in Moorefield, will use a grant of $872,056 to purchase and install a 107 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will generate 370,160 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 37 homes.
- In Pocahontas County, Mountain Linen Services, will use a grant of $632,698 to install a 149 kilowatt (kW) solar array. Mountain Linen Service LLC is a laundry business in Pocahontas County. This project will generate 170,932 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is enough electricity to power 17 homes.
The awards will benefit people in Cabell, Calhoun, Fayette, Hardy, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan, Pocahontas, Pendleton, Raleigh, Wayne, and Wood counties in West Virginia.
A complete list of all REAP investments announced today is available online.
Rural Development continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact Rural Development’s West Virginia Energy Coordinator at (681) 247-3007 or by email at [email protected].
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. USDA Rural Development supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information on Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wv.
