United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Lillian Salerno, alongside Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa, today visited local manufacturer Kolbe Windows & Doors (Kolbe) to highlight the impact of Agency partnerships with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program helps to ensure that farmers, ranchers and small businesses directly benefit from their efforts to contribute to a clean energy economy,” Acting Deputy Under Secretary Salerno said. “Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, USDA has expanded the reach of this program to partner with more rural small business owners and agricultural producers across the nation to lower energy costs and expand businesses. It’s exciting to hear about the impact that these investments have, directly from a business owner, and see the innovative ways that rural America is growing our economy while saving on their bottom line.”
A nationally recognized leader in the premium window and door industry, Kolbe sells its broad range of product offerings through hundreds of distributors and dealers across the United States, Canada and beyond[1]. Located in the heart of Wisconsin, and advocating “for the visionaries,” they pride themselves on providing solutions to homeowners, builders, architects and designers.[2]
Recently, the window and door manufacturer added themselves to another leaderboard, a leader in the charge for clean energy. With help from a more than $793,400 USDA Rural Development REAP grant, Kolbe was able to install a large megawatt solar array at their manufacturing facility. This renewable energy infrastructure is not only anticipated to save the business nearly $71,000 in annual electrical costs, but it’s also expected to generate nearly 1.3 million kilowatt hours of clean energy (over 30 percent of the business’ annual energy consumption), which is enough energy to power more than 115 homes.
During their visit, Salerno and Lassa were provided a personal tour of the family ran business’ manufacturing facility.
Background: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
The Rural Energy for America Program enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.
An announcement made by USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small highlighted the Department’s most recent round of REAP investments totaling $104 million in loans and grants to support over 300 clean energy projects in 34 states, including $1.3 million for 21 rural small businesses and agricultural producers right here in Wisconsin. Many of the projects were funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.The projects also advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and the bottom up.
A complete list of all REAP projects is available online.
Since 2021, USDA has invested more than $2.3 billion through REAP in 7,923 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, including nearly 300 in Wisconsin totaling more than $71.4 million.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact a local energy coordinator.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. USDA Rural Development supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
