USDA Invests Nearly $1.8 Million in Rural Kansas Communities to Lower Energy Costs and Create Jobs

TOPEKA, July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis announced today that USDA will help farmers and small businesses expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Today, Rural Development is investing $1,789,170 in grants that will support 15 clean energy projects across Kansas.

“The USDA is partnering with people in rural Kansas to expand access to clean energy,” Davis said. “We are working hard, supporting our small businesses and farmers as they create jobs for their communities.”

REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 38 other states and Guam. The specifics of the Kansas projects are:

• A $37,001 grant will help purchase and install a 26.91 kilowatt solar array for Midway Machine, a machine shop business located in Wilson County. This project will realize $4,259 per year in savings and will generate 36,697 kilowatt hours per year, enough electricity to power three homes.
• A $67,500 grant will help USA Gymnastics & Supply Inc., an existing gymnastics and sports products manufacturer in Great Bend, purchase and install a 50.4 kilowatt solar array. The project is expected to replace 80,004 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
• A $31,344 grant will help purchase and install a 20 kilowatt solar array for Brentan Yost, a swine producer located near Newton. The project will produce 31,026 kilowatt hours and replace 85 percent of the facility’s annual energy usage.
• A $37,477 grant will help purchase and install irrigation equipment for Schmidt Land LLC, a corn grower in Inman. The project is estimated to save 110,791 kilowatts per year, enough energy to power ten homes.
• A $39,900 grant will help purchase and install a 19.2 kilowatt solar array for Roy Buessing, an agricultural producer in Axtell. The project is estimated to replace 27,453 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power two homes.
• A $178,348 grant will help purchase and install a 99 kilowatt solar array for B&B Hydraulics Inc. of Hutchinson. The project is estimated to generate 156,168 kilowatt hours and replace 100 percent of the facility’s annual energy usage.
• A $611,745 grant will help purchase and install a 616 kilowatt solar array for Schwartz Farms Inc. of Herington. The project is estimated to generate 991,117 kilowatt hours and replace 40 percent of the farm’s annual energy usage.
• A $30,857 grant will help purchase and install a 25.53 kilowatt solar array for King Solar Inc. of Yoder. The project is estimated to generate 37,587 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $26,652 grant will help purchase and install irrigation equipment for Ruby Goering Trust, a corn farm in Inman. The project is estimated to save 123,249 kilowatt per year, enough energy to power 11 homes.
• A $57,927 grant will help purchase and install a 42.1 kilowatt solar array for Edward Koehn, a poultry producer near Halstead. The project is estimated to produce 64,113 kilowatt hours annually, enough energy to power six homes.
• An $83,014 grant will help Rural Rental LLC, of Abilene, purchase and install a 19.35 kilowatt and a 30.10 kilowatt solar array. The project is estimated to replace 65,370 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power six homes.
• A $42,200 grant will help Kober Farms LLC, of Inman, purchase and install irrigation equipment. The project is estimated to save 42,538 kilowatts per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• A $277,000 grant will help Stateline Dairy LLC, of Morrowville, purchase and install a 250 kilowatt solar array. The project is estimated to replace 380,028 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power 35 homes.
• A $177,486 grant will help purchase and install a 150 kilowatt solar array for Sales Date Inc., a computer software company in Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 216,823 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power 20 homes.
• A $90,719 grant will help Beloit Auto & Truck Plaza Inc., of Beloit, purchase and install a 62.5 kilowatt solar array. The project is estimated to generate 85,647 kilowatt hours per year, enough energy to power seven homes.

USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underused renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.

USDA 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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.