October 14, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $1.77 million in loans and grants to 32 Michigan projects for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
This is part of an overall $62.5 million in loans and grants under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), an important initiative to help rebuild and revitalize rural America.
"President Obama and I are committed to helping rural businesses become more energy efficient - it's good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for the workers and customers who depend on the goods and services these businesses provide," Vilsack said.
"Investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy represent a major opportunity for Michigan to create jobs, save money, and reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels," said Stanley "Skip" Pruss, director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). "In fact, energy efficiency creates more jobs per dollar than fuel-based solutions. By replacing traditional fossil fuel energy, Michigan's energy efficiency program will save Michigan over $3 billion in electricity costs over the next 20 years."
REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. More information on the REAP program, which was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov.
DELEG's Bureau of Energy Systems will be partnering with Michigan State University on the USDA REAP to assist rural businesses in energy efficiency audits and renewable energy development opportunities. For more information please call Terri Novak at 517-930-3170.
The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth is investing in Michigan's future by preparing for the new energy economy, helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.
For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/deleg, or the Bureau of Energy Systems' website at: www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.
The following Michigan REAP grants were announced today:
|
Recipient
|
Community/County
|
Amount
|
Project
|
|
Terry Rockwell
|
Three Rivers / Cass Co.
|
$9,225
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Dennis Philpot
|
Deckerville / Sanilac Co.
|
$14,195
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Linda Lee Kiszka
|
Jackson / Jackson Co.
|
$10,575
|
5 kW Small Wind Turbine
|
|
Bednarski Farms
|
Unionville / Tuscola Co.
|
$12,500
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Renewable Options & Investments
|
Jackson / Jackson Co.
|
$19,372
|
4 Small Wind Turbines for Business
|
|
Patrick Feldpausch
|
Fowler / Clinton Co.
|
$20,000
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Charles Guziak
|
Henderson / Shiawassee Co.
|
$10,646
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Four D Farms, LLC
|
Perrinton/Gratiot Co.
|
$20,000
|
Lights, Fans, Curtains, Insulation for farm
|
|
Hoekstra Electrical Services
|
Hamilton/Allegan Co.
|
$15,338
|
Solar Panels
|
|
Home Comfort Farms, LLC
|
Johannesburg/Montmorency Co.
|
$3,015
|
Windspire 1.2kW Wind Turbine
|
|
J&A Properties, LLC
|
Traverse City/Grand Traverse Co.
|
$1,500
|
LED Lighting
|
|
Mark Gainforth
|
Unionville/Tuscola Co.
|
$14,834
|
Geothermal for Workshop
|
|
Ronald L. Lancore
|
Hart/Oceana Co.
|
$10,500
|
10kW Ventera Wind Turbine
|
|
Rubinghs Dairyland
|
Ellsworth/Antrim Co.
|
$24,570
|
Equipment - Compressors, Pumps, Cooling and Electrical
|
|
Russell Farms
|
Akron/Tuscola Co.
|
$15,959
|
Geothermal for Workshop
|
|
D&D Farms, Inc.
|
Ruth/Huron Co.
|
$44,640 grant/
$44,640 Loan
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Mark Santucci
|
Traverse City/Grand Traverse Co.
|
$7,329
|
2.2kW Solar Array
|
|
Kenneth M. Stautz
|
Marshall/Calhoun Co.
|
$43,779
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Szikszay Family Farms
|
Otisville/Genesee Co.
|
$49,074
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Wood Pecker Pellets, Inc.
|
Spring Lake/Ottawa Co.
|
$226,438
|
Wood Pellets - Fuel
|
|
Split Farms
|
Scottville/Mason Co.
|
$44,250
|
20kW Hummer Wind Turbine
|
|
Nova Cable Management, Inc.
|
Mt. Pleasant/Isabella Co.
|
$28,000
|
Solar Array
|
|
R&W Peterson Farms, LLC
|
Edmore/Montcalm Co.
|
$44,950
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Seldom Rest Too, LLC
|
Holland/Ottawa Co.
|
$38,313
|
GSI Grain Dryer
|
|
Cable and Satellite Solutions, LLC
|
Nunica/Muskegon Co.
|
$44,091
|
43 kW Solar Array to Sell Power to Grid
|
|
Lapeer Grain
|
Lapeer/Lapeer Co.
|
$48,565 grant/ $48,565 loan
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
West Farms, Inc.
|
Croswell/Sanilac Co.
|
$49,605 grant/ $49,605 loan
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Cooperative Elevator Co.
|
Pigeon/Huron Co.
|
$141,099 grant/ $250,000 loan
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Wayne J. Lennard & Sons, Inc.
|
Samaria/Monroe Co.
|
$109,655 grant/ $109,655 loan
|
Grain Dryer Replacement
|
|
Beebe Community Wind Farm, LLC
|
Ithaca/Gratiot Co.
|
$50,000
|
Feasibility Study for Wind Farm
|
|
Michigan State University
|
East Lansing/Ingham Co.
|
$100,000
|
Provide Energy Audits and Energy Development Assistance
|
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