USDA invests nearly $3.1M in clean and renewable energy to strengthen Ohio small businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced Friday nearly $3.1 million in grant funding for 10 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.

“While these investments in energy savings directly benefit those receiving the funding, they also have a ripple effect, creating and sustaining jobs all across Ohio for workers who manufacture and install these energy saving products,” said McCracken. “Without a doubt, REAP truly is a win-win proposition for Ohio by creating and sustaining new job opportunities and improving quality of life in rural communities across our great state.”

These projects announced continue to 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 Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024, USDA has awarded nearly $28 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to 164 Ohio small businesses and agricultural producers. Since passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, Ohio RD has funded more than $50 million in renewable energy and energy efficient projects across rural Ohio.

The most recent Ohio recipients include:

Jarrett Companies, Inc., in Orrville, Ohio, received a $276,102 grant to purchase and install a 299.7-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $26,570 in annual energy costs and generate 318,418 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, enough to power 29 homes. This energy efficiency update will offset nearly 148 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.
 
John Heitkamp in New Bremen, Ohio, received a $97,720 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. The grain dryer is expected to save this family farm $44,613 in annual energy costs and save 681,323 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, enough to power 63 homes. This energy efficiency update will offset nearly 70 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.

Equity Trust in Lancaster, Ohio, received a $24,627 grant to 13.75-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar array. This project is expected to save the business $1,603 in annual energy costs and generate 16,029 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, enough to power one home. This energy efficiency update will offset nearly 30 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption.

Holmes Siding Contractors in Millersburg, Ohio, received a $642,850 grant to purchase and install 173.88 and a 496.8-kilowatt (kW) roof mounted solar arrays. This project is to save the operation $42,842 in annual energy costs and generate 714,032 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 66 homes. This renewable install will offset nearly 100 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.

David Kamm in New London, Ohio, received a $283,113 grant to purchase an energy efficient grain dryer. The grain dryer is expected to save this family farm $9,962 in annual energy costs and save 258,921 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, enough to power 23 homes. This energy efficiency update will offset nearly 55 percent of the farm’s annual energy consumption.

Glenn Lehner Farms in Marion, Ohio, received a $249,038 grant to purchase and install energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the family farm $29,032 in annual energy costs and save 458,655 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 42 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 57 percent of the farm’s energy consumption annually.

Ronald Bailey in Jefferson, Ohio, received a $152,804 grant to purchase and install energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save his family farm $19,353 in annual energy costs and save 261,019 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 24 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 70 percent of the farm’s energy consumption annually.

Kleinfelter Equipment in Fostoria, Ohio, received a $69,073 grant to purchase and install energy efficient grain dryer. This project is expected to save the business $6,858 in annual energy costs and save 95,638 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power eight homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 65 percent of the business energy consumption annually.

Quantum Metals in Lebanon, Ohio, received a $998,350 grant to purchase and install a roof mounted solar array. This project is to save the operation $368,874 in annual energy costs and generate 998,348 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 92 homes. This renewable install will offset nearly 29 percent of the business' annual energy consumption.

Schmelzer Industries, Inc., in Somerset, Ohio, received a $246,647 grant to purchase and install energy efficient cure oven at its composites business. This project is expected to save the business $56,913 in annual energy costs and save 2,843,231 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 263 homes. This energy efficiency upgrade will offset 74 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.

USDA Rural Development has five offices in Ohio – Columbus, Findlay, Hillsboro, Marietta and Massillon. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Ohio, call (614) 255-2400 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/oh.

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