Over 200 Rural Illinois Businesses and Ag Producers Receive Over $25 Million in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants

[November 16, 2024]   CHAMPAIGN, Ill., - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Illinois State Director Pam Monetti today announced that over 200 Illinois businesses are receiving a combined $25.3 million in REAP grants to expand access to clean energy, create jobs and help lower their energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This funding will help small businesses and farms across the state implement cost-saving, clean, efficient energy systems on their properties.

“USDA is committed to ensuring farmers, ranchers and small businesses are directly benefitting from the clean energy economy,” Monetti said. “We know that people in rural Illinois bring ingenuity and hard work to increasing renewable energy in their communities, preparing them for a bright future, and that’s why investments through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program are so important. In fact, I’m proud to say the state of Illinois is number 1 for REAP investments in this administration, receiving over 970 awards that directly serve farmers and rural small businesses across the state.”

Through REAP, USDA partners with agricultural producers and small businesses to lower business costs through clean energy and energy efficiency systems. In addition to today’s investments, Monetti also announced the availability of an additional $600 million nationwide in REAP funds that farmers and small businesses can apply for by March 31, 2025.

Full list of IL REAP round 7 project announcements.

IL Project Examples:

Clinton County: Maschoffs LLC received a $500K investment to purchase and install energy-efficient heat mats to help with their livestock operation. This project will realize more than $294,700 per year in savings and will replace 1,958,213 kilowatt hours (kWh) (39 percent) per year, which is enough energy to power 180 homes.

Lake County: Golden Oaks Farm LLC received a $856K+ investment to purchase and install an 898 kilowatt (kW) solar array for their grain farm in Wauconda. This project will realize more than $113,000 per year in savings and will replace 1,257,556 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 116 homes.
 

Hancock County: Nauvoo Car Wash LLC received a $15K+ investment to purchase and install a 10 kilowatt (kW) solar array. This project will yield more than $1,800 per year in savings and will replace 15,119 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.

Montgomery County: Dajen Corp received a $278K+ investment to purchase and install a more energy-efficient grain dryer for their operation in Raymond, IL. This project will realize more than $14,000 per year in savings and will replace 170,352 kilowatt hours (kWh) (36 percent) per year, which is enough energy to power 15 homes.

Background: REAP Inflation Reduction Act Funding Availability

As part of today’s announcement, USDA will make available an additional $600 million across three funding rounds from now until 2027.

During each funding round, the Department expects to make available $180 million in general REAP funding and $20 million in set-aside funding for underutilized renewable energy technology.

USDA is accepting applications in this first round through two windows. The deadlines to apply are Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For additional information about the REAP funding availability, see page 83449 of the Oct. 16 Federal Register or contact a local energy coordinator.

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