USDA Rural Development has selected 35 Vermont businesses to receive $2,364,617 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) energy efficiency and energy improvement grants and loan guarantees. Twenty-two businesses were announced today, by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and are the final selections for the REAP funds this fiscal year.
USDA Rural Development recognizes the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency. said Rhonda Shippee, Acting State Director. We look forward to continued success in funding similar projects-- helping finance projects that are good for the economy and good for the bottom line of the participating Vermont businesses.
Recipients will use their awards for a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy purposes. These awards will additional small wind, solar electric generation and lighting improvement projects to USDA Rural Developments energy program portfolio.
As part of the selections, USDA Rural Development s REAP funds continue to be sought after by Vermont s agriculture producers. Dubois Energy LLC will partner their loan guarantee and grant with State, local, and private financing to purchase and install an anaerobic digester system to generate electricity and produce on farm bedding for their operation in Vergennes. Monument Farms Three Gen, LLC in Weybridge, are also receiving a grant and loan guarantee to purchase and install an anaerobic digester system to produce electricity which they will sale to the local utility, and produce energy to heat hot water for the milk house.
Twenty-seven awards, totaling $427,626, will be used by maple producers throughout the state for the purchase and installation of reverse osmosis equipment or a new high efficiency arch systems. These systems will reduce energy consumption and increase net farm income.
REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. These funds are not part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. For more information on the REAP program, which is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, please visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html.
See below for a list of all projects receiving awards under this program.
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 our programs is available by contacting us at (802)828-6031 or by visiting USDA Rural Development s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt.
Fiscal Year 2009 USDA Rural Development s Rural Energy for America Program selections:
Recipient
Project Location
Reverse Osmosis or High Efficiency Arch systems:
Damian Branon
Fairfield
Ridgeview Farm, Inc
Fairfield
Carlton Bertrand, Jr.
Swanton
Scott Boyce
Richford
Wayne Fifield
Thetford Center
Rodney & Glenda Paradee
Swanton
Joseph A. Jordan
Essex Jct.
Charles M. Cooley, Jr.
Morrisville
Norman Fecteau & David L. Steinhour
Richford
Morse Farm Inc.
Montpelier
Gary Corey
Fairfield
Clifford LaPoint
Craftsbury
Douglas Rose
Ludlow
David & Sharon Dolloff
Lyndonville
Paul A. Lahar
Albany
Gabriel Gervais
East Fairfield
Robert Lemire Sr
Essex Jct.
Tator's Sugar Shack
St. Albans
Butternut Mountain Farm
Morrisville
Franklin Yates
Fairfield
Paul Palmer
Jeffersonville
Daniel & Rose Royer
Newport Center
Kenneth Saunders
Rupert
Fernand & Patricia Gagne
Swanton
Howard & Carolyn Collins
Newport Center
Randi & Louise Calderwood
Craftsbury
Priscilla White
Fairfield
Walter Gladstone lighting improvements
Bradford
Photo Voltaic:
William Maclay Architects
Waitsfield
Paul Sachs
Bradford
E&E Hospitality Limited
Arlington
West Mountain Inn
Arlington
Wind:
Harvey McDonald small wind
Derby Line
Anaerobic Digester Systems:
Dubois Energy, LLC
Vergennes
Monument Farms Three Gen, LLC
Weybridge
Source: Montpelier, VT, September 24, 2009 USDA Rural Development.