Rural Businesses and Corn Farms Benefit from Renewable Energy Projects
By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants totaling $567,000 in Illinois, supporting renewable energy projects through the Rural Energy for America Program. Among the recipients are Schrumpf Insurance Agency and corn producer Allen Sprague, highlighting the program's commitment to fostering clean energy adoption in rural communities.
Administered by USDA Rural Development, the Rural Energy for America Program aims to assist producers and rural small business owners in expanding their use of clean energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency. The grants awarded to Schrumpf Insurance Agency and Allen Sprague signify a step forward in promoting sustainability and reducing energy costs.
Schrumpf Insurance Agency, located in Godfrey, received $15,160 for a 13-kilowatt solar array. This investment is expected to yield approximately $2,100 in annual energy cost savings and will generate enough energy to power one house. Similarly, Allen Sprague, a corn farmer, was granted $16,150 for a 12-kilowatt solar array on his farm. This initiative will result in approximately $1,500 in power cost savings annually and will produce enough energy to power another household.
According to USDA acting State Director Molly Hammond, these grants play a vital role in supporting rural Illinois businesses, farmers, and agricultural producers by enhancing energy efficiency and facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources. She emphasized the significance of these grants in enabling local businesses to remain profitable while reducing their environmental footprint.
Hammond highlighted the transformative impact of even relatively modest grants, emphasizing how grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 can provide substantial relief to rural business owners.
These grants represent a concerted effort to promote sustainability and economic resilience in rural communities. By incentivizing the adoption of clean energy solutions, USDA aims to foster long-term environmental stewardship and economic vitality across rural America.
The success of projects like those undertaken by Schrumpf Insurance Agency and Allen Sprague serves as a testament to the effectiveness of USDA's programs in advancing clean energy adoption and bolstering the sustainability of rural businesses and farms in Illinois.
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
Categories: Illinois, Energy