USDA Invests Nearly $1 Million in Renewable Energy to Strengthen Ohio Small Businesses and Ag Producers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced today nearly $1 million in grant funding for three projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These grants help Ohio farmers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements to lower operating costs. 

“More and more we see the benefits of farms and rural small businesses investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency systems. Lower utility bills mean that recipients can invest these savings back into their businesses, benefitting the workers and the communities they live in,” said McCracken. “Not only do these investments benefit farmers and small business owners, but they create jobs across Ohio for the workers installing and manufacturing these renewable energy systems and energy saving products.”

These projects advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.

During the fiscal year that began October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, USDA has awarded more than $34 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 199 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in renewable energy or energy efficient systems. 

Today’s announcement includes the following Ohio recipients:  

The Chef's Garden in Huron, Ohio, received a $781, 897 grant to purchase and install a 1-megawatt (MW) ground mounted solar array. This project is expected to save The Chef’s Garden $127,759 in annual energy costs and generate 1,741,400 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 161 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset nearly 50 percent of the business' annual energy consumption. 

Read more about a REAP award The Chef’s Garden received in 2017 HERE to learn how this program benefits rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

A&B Porteus in Coshocton, Ohio, received a $44,990 grant to purchase and install a 27.6-kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar array. This project is expected to save A&B Porteus $6,725 in annual energy costs and generate 30,569 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year, enough to power two homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 118 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.

Fore 1 LLC, in Ottawa, Ohio, received a $124,692 grant to purchase and install a 67.23-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save Fore 1 $9,337 in annual energy costs and generate 75,764 kilowatts (kWh) of electricity each year, enough to power seven homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 44 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.

Congress created REAP as part of the 2008 Farm Bill by combining the 2002 Farm Bill’s Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Systems Program with an amended version of another 2002 Farm Bill program for grants for energy audits and assistance in using renewable energy technology and resources. The program was reauthorized by the Farm Bills of 2014 and 2018.  

In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded REAP and added additional funding so more rural businesses and agricultural producers can access the program and lower costs. REAP enables them to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy, and make energy efficiency improvements.