A handful of Delaware businesses and farms are receiving money from the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help lower energy costs.
The funds will help a pair of First State farmers and four small, rural business owners invest in renewable energy systems expected to deliver significant savings.
“Delaware got an allocation of $127,000. And in that, we just awarded the six grants. And they only totaled $103,500,” said Denise Lovelady, the state director for USDA Rural Development in Delaware and Maryland.
Lovelady says they hope to use all of the funding in the future - once more people learn about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). She says REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems such as anaerobic digesters, biomass and geothermal.
Lovelady says the two farms chosen to receive grants are in Sussex County.
"We had a farmer from Millsboro that was selected to receive this grant in the amount of $20,000. And the investment will be used to purchase a solar electric system. They own a poultry farm. And this will save them about $9,300 per year,” said Lovelady.
Lovelady notes the other farm is H&J Wright Family Farms in Delmar - a family-owned and operated grain and turkey farm. It is receiving $20,000 to purchase and install a ground solar array.
The four businesses receiving grants are ASA Properties in Milton, Bayside Exteriors in Lewes, CSC Auto Center in Georgetown and Loma Properties in Rehoboth Beach.
