Press Release
☷Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Visits Minnesota to Highlight Biden Harris Administration s Investments in Clean Energy Infrastructure in Rural America
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Feb 03,2024
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On February 1 , 2024 , U . S . Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack paid a visit to St . Charles , Minnesota , to talk about the Biden - Harris Administration ' s efforts to help rural communities . Secretary Vilsack stopped by Miller ' s Market , a family - owned grocery store , where he met with local producers and small business owners who have received funding from the U . S . Department of Agriculture ' s Rural Energy for America Program ( REAP ) . This program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses access renewable energy infrastructure and make energy efficient upgrades . Secretary Vilsack mentioned that thanks to President Biden ' s Inflation Reduction Act , producers and rural communities now have more opportunities to participate in the clean energy economy . In fact , Minnesota has taken full advantage of these opportunities , with over $53 . 8 million in funding for 495 projects , the most of any state in the country . During the visit , Secretary Vilsack had a discussion with some recent REAP recipients , including Miller ' s Market , which received a grant to install a solar array , the Goldberg family who installed a wind turbine on their farm , and Four Daughters Winery , which received funding for a solar array . This project , which is expected to start construction this year , is projected to save the business $53 , 000 annually in electrical costs and replace 287 , 000 kilowatt hours of electricity , enough to power 26 homes . It accounts for 58% of the winery ' s yearly energy consumption . The locally - owned Ace Hardware Store in St . Charles received a $52 , 000 grant to install a 39 - kilowatt solar array , estimated to replace 78 , 850 kilowatt hours of electricity per year , which is 85 . 5% of their total annual energy usage . Secretary Vilsack also highlighted the Biden - Harris Administration ' s significant investments in rural communities through President Biden ' s Investing in America agenda . With the help of the American Rescue Plan , Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , and Inflation Reduction Act , USDA is assisting producers in finding new revenue opportunities while addressing climate change and creating stronger , more resilient communities . The Biden - Harris Administration is working towards a system that benefits farms of all sizes and locations across the country . To find out more about investment resources for rural areas , you can visit www . rd . usda . gov or get in touch with your nearest USDA Rural Development state office . USDA Rural Development offers loans and grants to support economic expansion , job creation , and improve the quality of life in rural areas . This assistance covers infrastructure improvements , business development , housing , community facilities , and high - speed internet access in rural , tribal , and high - poverty areas . For additional information , visit www . rd . usda . gov . To receive updates from USDA Rural Development , you can subscribe on the GovDelivery subscriber page . #USDA provides equal opportunities for all as a provider , employer , and lender .
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