WASHINGTON- Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded loan and grant funds totaling $511,457 to 12 farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses in Iowa through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program.
“These funds will help purchase more energy efficient equipment which will help control costs for Iowa farmers, ranchers and small businesses,” Grassley said.
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program provides grants, loans and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business for assistance with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded funds, as described below.
· - A $19,450 grant and $19,450 loan to Reik Bros in Arthur to construct a newer grain drying system to replace an older, inefficient system projecting over 61 percent in energy savings.
· - A $27,326 grant and a $27,326 loan to Dean Elsbernd in Calmar to replace an old, inefficient grain dryer with a new, efficient continuous flow grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 37.1 percent.
· - A $15,990 grant and a $15,990 loan to Richard Hemphill in Davenport to replace a 27 year-old dryer with a new grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 50.09 percent.
· - A $13,590 grant and a $13,590 loan to Delbert Smith in Decorah to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient continuous flow grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 51.3 percent.
· - A $22,026 grant and a $22,026 loan to Donald Shatek in Elma to replace an old grain dryer with a new, more efficient continuous flow grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 60.8 percent.
· - A $18,711 grant and a $18,712 loan to Jeff Thier in Farley to replace grain bins with a new grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 67.31 percent.
· - A $12,452 grant and a $12,452 loan to Loren Kriener in FortAtkinson to replace an old inefficient grain dryer with a new, more efficient continuous flow grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 35.5 percent.
· - A $27,324 grant and $27,324 loan to David L. Folsom in Hornick to purchase and install a newer, more efficient grain drying system. The new system will save 803,494 MBTU’s and allow for faster drying times.
· - A $9,385 grant and a $9,385 loan to Brahn Farms, Inc. in Ionia to replace two old, inefficient bin grain dryers with one new, more efficient continuous flow grain dryer that could have 90,269 MBTU’s of energy savings.
· - A $31,678 grant and a $31,678 loan to Joel R. Gordon in Kensett to replace two grain dryer units more than 40 years old with a new, highly efficient grain dryer. Energy savings are projected to be 55.11 percent.
· - A $29,642 grant and $29,642 loan to CSP Farms, Inc. in New Providence to replace an old grain drying system with a new more efficient grain drying system. Energy savings are projected to be 40 percent.
· - A $28,154 grant and a $28,154 loan to Tri-J, Inc. in Sioux City to purchase and install more energy efficient freezers and coolers, as well as add insulation to the existing building. Energy savings are projected to be over 30 percent.