COLUMBIA, M0. — A press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced that USDA is investing $24,793,000 to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in rural Missouri.

”USDA Rural Development supports and invests in Missouri’s rural towns, communities, businesses, and families,” Thomas said. “The investments announced today demonstrate how Rural Development is improving infrastructure, assisting rural Missourians lower energy costs, helping businesses add renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements, and ultimately supporting economic development and growth throughout rural Missouri.”

USDA is financing 19 investments in Missouri, totaling $218,000, through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides funding to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. These climate-smart investments will conserve and generate nearly 800,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in rural Missouri each year, saving recipients more than $90,000 annually. Examples of the Missouri projects announced include:

• Feeders Grain, Incorporated, a commercial grain elevator in Mexico, will use a $20,000 grant to install two new 30-kilowatt solar array systems. The arrays are expected to save $4,336 and replace 56,506 kWh per year, 43 percent of the elevator’s energy use.
• Creative Car Audio Incorporated, a specialized in customizable car audio located in Sedalia, will use a $14,400 grant to purchase and install a 30-kilowatt solar. This project is expected to save $3,945 per year and replace 39,445 kWh, 95.3 percent of the company’s energy use.
• Sobrad Properties LLC will use a $9,324 grant to purchase and install a 20.7- kilowatt solar array at its veterinary clinic in Neosho. The array is expected to replace 31,961 kWh per year, 100 percent of the clinic’s energy use, and save $3,593 per year.
• North Missouri Tire, Incorporated, a tire sales company in Kirksville, will use a $9,266 grant to install LED lighting throughout its retail store and warehouse. It will replace 110,302 kWh per year, 74 percent of the company’s energy use, and is expected to save $10,573 annually.
• Henke Family Hog Farms, L.L.C. will use a $8,755 grant to install a 23.4-kilowatt solar array for its swine facility in Princeton. The array is expected to save $3,235 annually, replacing 33,960 kWh per year, 100 percent of the producer’s energy use.
• Green Dirt Farm, L.L.C in Weston sells sheep, dairy, and artisan cheese. A $8,748 grant will assist the business purchase and install a refrigerator/freezer unit that is expected to replace 28,739 kWh per year, 91.7 percent of the company’s energy use, and save $10,706 annually.
• DeLong’s Incorporated, a steel fabrication business in Jefferson City, will use a $3,255 grant to purchase and install 56 LED lighting fixtures in commercial buildings. The fixtures are expected to save the company $12,966 in electrical costs per year.

USDA is also financing one investment through the Electric Loan Program. Gascosage Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Dixon, Missouri, serves over 9,900 customers in Camden, Maries, Miller, Phelps, and Pulaski counties. The cooperative will use a $24,575,000 loan to connect 768 consumers and build and improve 61 miles of line. The loan includes $1,411,974 in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.

This announcement comes as part of a larger, nationwide announcement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack where he announced USDA is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas.

Contact USDA Rural Development

Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo by calling (573) 876-0976, or by emailing RDMissouri@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.