Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $2.7 Million in Funding to help Wisconsin Farmers, Businesses, and Communities
STRUM, Wis., Sept. 10, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is providing funding to help Wisconsin farmers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption, create jobs and promote economic development. He announced nearly $2.7 million in loans and grants through USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and three other economic development programs.
"President Obama and I are committed to helping farmers, agricultural producers and rural businesses create jobs, identify new income sources and become more energy efficient," Vilsack said. "This funding will not only help Wisconsin farmers and small business owners reduce energy costs, but also improve their bottom line."
For example, Helene's Hilltop Orchard, LLC of Merrill, will receive grant funds to purchase and install a new photovoltaic solar lighting system at the orchard, saving 40 percent in annual energy costs. In Darlington, Johnson Wind, LLC. was selected to receive loan and grant funds to assist rural small businesses in developing wind energy generation system.
USDA energy efficiency programs often yield double digit energy savings. REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits, and renewable energy development assistance. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html
In addition to the 45 REAP projects announced today, Vilsack announced funding for three additional Wisconsin projects:
The College of Menominee Nation is awarded a $196,600 Tribal College Initiative Grant to expand student parking facilities and buy and install an emergency generator. The electrical generator will support the new library.
CAP Services, Inc. will receive $262,296 to establish revolving loan fund to provide low-interest loans to public bodies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. The fund, provided through the Intermediary Relending Program, will assist businesses and economic development in Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood Counties.
Spring Rose Growers Cooperative in Verona will receive a $197,400 grant to provide technical assistance for and by socially disadvantaged growers in southern Wisconsin. In conjunction with the Dumlin Community Farm Producers Co-op, Hmong, Hispanic and other growers will craft courses to assist member producers become more sustainable and profitable. Funds are provided through the Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant program.
The following is a complete list of Wisconsin REAP recipients announced today. Except as otherwise noted, funds listed are grants:
Aide, William – solar PV system – Highland, Iowa County $ 15,637
B&E Farms Partnership – grain dryer – Cassville, Grant County $139,758 grant
$139,758 loan
Bird, Patrick – grain dryer - Beaver Dam, Dodge County $ 18,500
Blatz, Kenneth J. – solar PV system – Mt. Calvary, Fond du Lac County $ 31,813
Bronstad, Cindee – solar PV system – White Lake, Oconto County $ 7,980
Bumble B Dairy, Inc. – pasteurization equipment – Cuba City, Lafayette County $ 4,500
Century Acres – solar PV system - Port Washington, Ozaukee County $17,469
Dillaway, Deborah & Lifson, Allan –wind turbine – Colfax, Dunn County $19,321
Elmaro Farms, LLC – irrigation, Trempealeau, Trempealeu County $19,000
Fiedler, Robert – 50 kW wind turbine – Watertown, Dodge County $83,663 grant
$151,000 loan
Franz, Lloyd – reverse osmosis system – Athens, Marathon County $ 2,225
Furseth Farms – grain dryer - Stoughton, Dane County $39,438 grant
$78,000 loan
Gerner, Jeffrey B. – grain dryer – Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson County $31,051 grant
$45,000 loan
GO Loop, LLC – solar PV system - Randolph, Dodge County $20,000
Gorges, Duane D. – grain dryer – Seymour, Outagamie County $17,812
Green Leaf Inn – 50 kW wind turbine - Delavan, Walworth County $95,865 grant
Rutlin Cranberry Co Inc. – electrical motor – Warrens, Monroe County $19,922
Skaw, David T. – 10 kW wind turbine – New Auburn, Chippewa County $ 9,466
Skaw, Jack E. – 10 kW wind turbine – New Auburn, Chippewa County $ 15,125
Stelpflug, Gary – grain dryer - Lancaster, Grant County $ 20,000
Stretching Waters, LLC – solar PV system – Waupaca, Waupaca County $ 6,866
Triple K Farms Partnership – grain dryer - Hartland, Waukesha County $49,595
Wenig, Edward – solar PV system - Chilton, Calumet County $ 20,000
Wolf L&G Farms, LLC- grain dryer - Lancaster, Grant County $16,038
Zeitler, Jeff – grain dryer – Pound, Marinette County $20,000
45 REAP Recipients Total Funding: $2,039,177
Total Grants: 1,278,919
Total Loans: 760,258
Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement. More information on these and other USDA Rural Development Programs can be found on the website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
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