U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced today awards of more than $1.3 million in grant funding to 35 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across Montana through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) so they could invest in renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. “These projects are part of one of the largest investments in history to foster a wider use of renewable energy. They benefit Montana’s agricultural producers and rural small businesses by lowering their energy costs, and all of us as we address climate change,” said Williams. “Rural small businesses and agricultural producers are the backbone of Montana’s economy, and USDA is working hard to keep operating costs low so they can sustain and thrive.” This funding was made possible because of the 2021 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which is designed to help families and businesses save money on utility bills and expand rural opportunities in the clean energy economy. USDA made awards in 47 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The following are recipients of REAP grants in Montana: Monte Whetzel, dba Monte Whetzel Contracting, in Alberton, Montana, received a $10,142 grant to install a 7.6-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system on his barn. The project is expected to save this family-owned business in Mineral County, Montana, more than $2,400 per year by defraying 31% of its current use and lower energy use by more than 11,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Discovery Ski Corporation in Anaconda, Montana, received a $52,668 grant to purchase and install a 48.79 kilowatt (kW) solar system. The project will be used to offset power use from the Anaconda chair lift. The project is expected to save this business more than $11,000 per year and reduce energy use by more than 76,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Brian Barnhart of Belgrade, Montana, received a $16,250 grant to purchase and install a 19.5-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for his business. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $2,900 per year and reduce energy use by 25,226 kilowatt hours (kWh). Sharbert Enterprises Inc., in Belgrade, Montana, received a $68,606 grant to purchase and install a 42.93 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Montana Gift Corral office building. The project is expected to save this small business more than $7,300 per year and lower its energy use by more than 53,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Danielle Weaver of Big Sandy, Montana, received a $31,948 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to her business, Wolves Den Pharmacy. The project is expected to save more than $4,900 per year in annual energy costs. Alpacas of Montana in Bozeman, Montana, received a $25,444 grant to purchase and install a 26.19 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save the farm more than $3,700 per year and lower its energy use by more than 32,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Black Petal Farm, LLC, in Bozeman, Montana, received a $12,043 grant to purchase and install a 12.045-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save this small flower business $1,385 per year and lower energy use by 14,525 kilowatt hours (kWh). Bozeman Montessori, LLC, Bozeman, Montana, received a $32,940 grant to purchase and install a 19.04 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save the school and daycare facility more than $3,100 per year and lower its energy use by more than 21,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Courtney King of Bozeman, Montana, received a $13,357 grant to purchase and install a 12.0-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for her rental and leasing business. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $2,200 per year and reduce energy use by 16,221 kilowatt hours (kWh). Wild Peach, LLC, in Bozeman, Montana, received a $79,396 grant to purchase and install a 56.295-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $6,200 in annual energy costs and lower energy use by more than 69,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). WOJJ Properties, LLC, in Bozeman, Montana, received a $52,764 grant to purchase and install a 40.88 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a pediatric dentistry practice. The project is expected to save more than $3,400 in annual energy costs and lower energy use by more than 47,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Mikel Erickson of Broadview, Montana, received an $11,502 grant to purchase and install a 6.4 kilowatt (kW) solar array system at his family-owned farming operation. The project is expected to save this small farm about $1,000 per year and reduce energy use by 7,689 kilowatt hours (kWh). MT Solar, LLC, in Charlo, Montana, received a $31,816 grant to purchase and install a new 40 kW photovoltaic (PV) system. The system will be net metered to two meters on site with each being fed 20 kilowatts (kW), staying within the required kilowatt cap for Mission Valley Power and replacing 100% of the energy used. The project is expected to save more than $2,500 per year and lower energy use by more than 6,400 kilowatt hours (kWh). Highmark Properties, LLC, in Choteau, Montana, received a $79,999 grant to install energy efficient doors, windows, lighting, insulation, and a new boiler system at the Teton Peaks Assisted Living Facility. The project is expected to save more than $9,100 per year in energy costs. Moss Mountain Inn in Columbia Falls, Montana, received a $5,419 grant to install energy efficient blinds on the ceiling and windows of an all-glass sunroom. The project is expected to save this small rural bed and breakfast more than $2,300 per year and reduce energy use by more than 55,000 BTU. Jeffery Dean Sather, dba Sather Ranch, in Glasgow, Montana, received a $12,312 grant to add spray foam insulation in one of the buildings on his property to increase energy efficiency. The project is expected to save this rural, family-owned farming operation more than $3,500 per year in energy costs. Matthew Poole of Glasgow, Montana, received a $31,400 grant to purchase and install insulation in the roof of the building where his commercial rental business is located. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $1,600 per year and lower energy use by more than 22,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Douglas Crabtree, owner of Vilicus Farms in Havre, Montana, received a $24,813 grant to purchase and install a ground-mounted 15.13 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save this family-owned farm operation more than $3,800 per year and lower its energy use by more than 20,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Beck Real Estate Properties, LLC, in Helena, Montana, received a $54,574 grant to purchase and install a 74.76 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save the business more than $11,000 per year and lower its energy use by 96,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Phillips Excavation, LLC, in Helena, Montana, received a $17,213 grant to purchase and install a 12.3-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system in its company shop. The project is expected to save this rural business $1,498 per year and lower energy use by approximately 14,020 kilowatt hours (kWh). Sarah Lee Leonard of Hilger, Montana, received an $8,980 grant to purchase and install a 5.34-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save this small agricultural business more than $3,100 per year and lower energy use by 27%. El Peterson Ranch, Inc., in Judith Gap, Montana, received a $29,950 grant to purchase and install a 28.16-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to save this small, rural ranch more than $5,000 per year and reduce energy use by 34,733 kilowatt hours (kWh). Skylark PLLC, in Lewistown, Montana, received a $12,152 grant to install a 11.0-kilowatt (kW) ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system for 100% of the business’ energy consumption. The project is expected to save this rural small business, which creates custom computer software and programs, $1,259 per year and lower energy use by 14,112 kilowatt hours (kWh). Black Dog Farm in Livingston, Montana, received a $38,477 grant to purchase and install a 29.92 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This small, family-owned poultry and pork farm is expected to save more than $4,200 per year and lower energy use by more than 39,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Lolo Locker, LLC, in Lolo, Montana, received a $15,345 grant to purchase and install two efficient scroll compressors and energy efficient evaporative units of a reciprocating condensing unit. The project is expected to save this small, rural butcher shop more than $2,000 per year and reduce energy use by more than 49,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Pankratz Properties, LLC, in Malta, Montana, received a $30,895 grant to install exterior doors, energy efficient windows, and HVAC units in a small 13-room rural motel in downtown Glasgow, Montana. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $4,700 per year in energy costs. Sandra DeBuff of Ryegate, Montana, received a $49,218 grant to install a 50-kW ground mount solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the Ryegate Bar & Café. The project is expected to save this rural small business more than $10,000 per year and lower energy use by more than 77,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Jonald Jorgensen in Savage, Montana, received a $74,275 grant to route electric transmission lines through a local rural electric cooperative and convert diesel pumps to electric at this small, family-owned farming operation. The project is expected to save the farm approximately $73,000 per year in energy costs. Daniel DeBuff of Shawmut, Montana, received a $45,711 grant to install two 22.8 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at his small family farm that raises different varieties of grain, grass, and forage hay. The project is expected to save this rural farming operation almost $6,000 per year and reduce energy use by more than 82,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). LJK Veterinary Company, LLC, in Stevensville, Montana, received a$40,713 grant to purchase and install three 10-kilowatt (kW) solar edge inverters for a total 30 kW AC rated system and install 100 VSUN 400W panels. The project is expected to save this rural veterinary clinic more than $5,100 per year and lower its energy use by more than 4,400 kilowatt hours (kWh). SRI River Holdings, LLC, in Twin Bridges, Montana received a $211,521 grant to install three solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. These systems will support pivot operations, save the business more than $17,00 per year and lower energy use by more than 194,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). Mountain View Farms in Valier, Montana, received a $19,810 grant to purchase and install a ground mounted 13.35 kilowatt (kW) solar system. The project is expected to save this family-owned agriculture production business more than $7,300 per year and lower energy use by 29,435 kilowatt hours (kWh). Ridgeway Pharmacy in Victor, Montana, received an $89,181 grant to install 25 solar panels and seven inverters in its parking lot and on the roof of its building. Panels will power the inverters and convert power from DC to AC, replacing approximately 70% of annual energy use. The project is expected to save this rural pharmacy business more than $9,300 per year and lower energy use by about 56,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). TT&E, Inc., in Victor, Montana, received a $25,590 grant to purchase and install a grid tied 23.52-kilowatt (kW) net metered solar system. The project will save this rural small business more than $2,900 per year and lower energy use by more than 20,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). CX Ranch, LLP, in Winston, Montana, received a $19,473 grant to purchase and install a 16.8-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for its irrigation operations. The project is expected to save this small rural ranch about $2,700 per year and lower energy use by approximately 23,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). 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 and Tribal areas by supporting improvements in infrastructure, business development, housing, and community facilities in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page. -30- USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt. |
