Five local businesses were awarded  Rural Energy for America Program grants it was announced today by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Director for Kansas Rural Development Christy Davis

According to a press release,  Rural Development is funding 54 projects to generate clean energy and improve energy efficiency in Kansas.

The $5,883,731 in investments are made through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“Expanding clean energy production benefits working families and small businesses in Kansas. These projects are strengthening our energy independence and helping rural small businesses take control of their energy needs,” she said in the press release.

The five Fort Scott recipients:

A $48,684 grant will assist Great Expectations Restoration LLC purchase and install a 33.57 kW solar system. Great Expectations Restoration is a remodeling company in Fort Scott. This project is expected to replace 43,075 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power four homes.

A $34,365 grant will assist Hole in the Wall Enterprises LLC purchase and install a 23.7 kW solar system. Hole in the Wall Enterprises operates a liquor store in Fort Scott. This project is expected to replace 32,490 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power three homes.

A $19,995 grant will assist T.E. Freeman Studio LLC purchase and install a 13 kW solar system. T.E. Freeman Studio is an art dealer in Fort Scott. This project is expected to replace 18,091 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power one home.

An $11,357 grant will help Baja Management Corp. purchase and install a 4.51 kW solar system with a 9.9 kW battery backup. Baja Management Corp. owns a building which leases space in Fort Scott. This project is expected to replace 5,825 kWh of electricity per year.

A $61,177 grant will assist 110 South Main LLC purchase and install a 50 solar system. 110 South Main is a restaurant in Fort Scott. This project is expected to replace 46,227 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power four homes.

The details of the other Kansas projects in the press release are:

• A $35,400 grant will assist Kandy Rushing purchase and install a 24 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Kandy Rushing operates Grow at Eden childcare center in Iola. This project is expected to replace 29,260 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power two homes.
• A $12,258 grant will assist Kandy Rushing purchase and install an upgraded heating, ventilation, and cooling system. Kandy Rushing operates Grow at Eden childcare center located in Iola. This project is expected to save the business 8,996 kWh of electricity per year.
• A $61,936 grant will help Tony’s Lawn Care & Irrigation Inc. purchase and install a 44 kW solar system. Tony’s Lawn Care is a rural small business located in Neosho County. This project is expected to replace 53,834 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• A $1,000,000 grant will help High Plains Ag Energy LLC construct an anaerobic digester in Scott County. The anaerobic digester will produce an estimated 60,548 MMBTU of renewable natural gas per year.
• A $56,357 grant will help Mull Investments LP upgrade three irrigation wells from natural gas-powered units to electric powered units. Mull Investments is an existing ag producer in Kiowa County. The new system is expected to save $7,507 per year.
• A $93,957 grant will help Tony’s Construction Inc. purchase and install a 66 kW solar system. Tony’s Construction is a rural construction company in Chanute. This project is expected to replace 85,080 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
• A $97,500 grant will assist Sonic Drive-In of Iola, Kansas LLC purchase and install a 60 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 81,710 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
• A $78,000 grant will assist Sonic Drive-In of Chanute, Kansas Inc. purchase and install a 48 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 68,470 kWh per year, enough energy to power six homes.
• A $324,498 grant will help Shaw Feedyard Inc. purchase and install a 192 kW solar system. Shaw Feedyard is an existing ag producer located in Clark County. This project is expected to replace 311,529 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power 28 homes.
• A $23,780 grant will help For Sale By Owner Inc. purchase and install a 16.4 kW solar system. For Sale By Owner is a used car dealer in Chanute. This project is expected to replace 17,135 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $99,540 grant will help Iola Pharmacy Inc. purchase and install a 71.1 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 99,645 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power nine homes.
• A $99,750 grant will assist Millers Inc. purchase efficient LED lights. Millers is a commercial printing company in Pittsburg. This project is expected to save $50,770 per year. It will replace 643,014 kWh per year, enough energy to power 59 homes.
• A $15,997 grant will help Rowe Motors LLC purchase and install a 10.66 kW solar system. Rowe Motors is a motor vehicle dealer in Chanute. This project is anticipated to produce 14,672 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $25,604 grant will help Augusta Family Practice purchase and install an 11.5 kW solar system. Augusta Family Practice is an established medical practice in Augusta. This project is expected to replace 14,916 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $31,508 grant will help SNS Tire & Auto LLC purchase and install a 21.73 kW solar system. SNS Tire & Auto LLC is a tire dealer in Chanute. This project is expected to replace 29,858 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power two homes.
• A $99,995 grant will help SF Automotive Chanute LLC purchase and install a 74.62 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 101,235 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power nine homes.
• A $19,275 grant will assist Brown Heating & Cooling Inc., an HVAC business in Parsons, purchase and install an 11.85 kW solar system. This project will realize $2,240 per year in savings and will replace 13,245 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $190,000 grant will assist Alexander Manufacturing Company Inc. purchase and install a 154 kW solar system. Alexander Manufacturing is a metal fabricator in Parsons. This project is expected to replace 201,240 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power 18 homes.
• A $69,800 grant will assist Lucius Associates Ltd. purchase and install a 50 kW solar system. Lucius Associates is a rural small business located near Chanute. This project is expected to replace 59,039 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power five homes.
• A $57,500 grant will help Kimberly Stahel BDA Shirts and Such purchase and install a 19.4 kW solar system with a 37 kW battery backup. Shirts and Such is a screen-printing business located in Overbrook. This project is expected to replace 21,342 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power two homes.
• A $150,827 grant will help Matcor Metal Fabrication Inc. purchase and install upgraded lighting, air compressor, and HVAC equipment. Matcor Metal is a sheet metal fabricator located in Independence. This energy efficiency improvement project is expected to reduce electrical consumption by 896,147 kWh, or 32.8 percent of the company’s energy use, enough energy to power 82 homes.
• A $97,500 grant will assist Mission Construction Co. Inc. purchase and install a 64.99 kW solar system. Mission Construction operates a fueling station and convenience store in St. Paul. This project is expected to replace 78,210kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power seven homes.
• A $98,553 grant will help Boles Ranch LLC purchase and install a 68.44 kW solar system. Boles Ranch is a cattle ranch located in Seward County. This project is expected to replace 124,120 kWh per year, enough energy to power 11 homes.
• A $124,158 grant will help Hilltop Lanes purchase and install a more energy efficient heating, ventilation and cooling system and install additional insulation to the building. Hilltop Lanes is a bowling alley in Syracuse. The improvements are expected to save the business $4,242 per year in energy costs.
• A $150,772 grant will assist Queen Enterprises LLC purchase and install updated refrigeration racks and LED lights. Queen Enterprises operates a supermarket in Paola. This project is expected to save $67,695 per year and reduce annual energy consumption by 686,314 kWh per year, enough energy to power 62 homes.
• A $36,755 grant will assist South Baldwin Farms LLC of Baldwin purchase and install a 32 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 48,943kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• A $90,860 grant will assist the Rick C. and Diana L. Elnicki Living Trust with the purchase and installation of a 71.04 kW solar system to power an irrigation system. The Elnicki Living Trust is an ag producer near Pittsburg. This project is expected to generate 110,830 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power ten homes.
• A $35,190 grant will help Gieringers Family Orchard & Berry Farm LLC purchase and install a 23 kW solar system. Gieringers Family Orchard is an agricultural producer near Edgerton. This project is expected to replace 35,564 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $35,680 grant will assist Varekai Holdings Inc., of Overbrook, purchase and install an 18.13 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 21,458 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power two homes.
• A $70,000 grant will assist Sonic Drive-In of Independence Inc. purchase and install a 44.16 kW solar system. This project is expected to replace 61,020 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power five homes.
• A $45,934 grant will assist 502 Lofts LLC, of Council Grove, purchase and install a 23.9 kW solar system. This project is expected to generate 36,023 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $88,174 grant will assist Carlson’s Grocery Inc. purchase and install a 73.2 kW solar array. Carlson’s Grocery is a grocery store located in Marion. The project is estimated to generate 102,963 kWh per year and replace 19 percent of the facility’s annual energy usage, enough energy to power nine homes.
• A $58,240 grant will assist Pfaff Signs LLC purchase and install a 33.3 kW solar array. Pfaff Signs is a graphic design shop in Goddard. The project is estimated to generate 48,630 kWh per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• A $176,973 grant will assist Shree Jay Ginesh LLC purchase and install a 198.22 solar system. Shree Jay Ginesh is a hotel in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 851,805 kWh annually, 130 percent of the business’s annual energy needs and enough energy to power 78 homes.
• A $59,989 grant will assist Jennifer L. Arneson purchase and install a 29.52 solar system with a battery backup. Jennifer L. Arneson runs a veterinary clinic in Junction City. The project will produce 41,388 kWh annually and replace 78 percent of the facility’s annual energy usage.
• A $69,295 grant will assist Management & Maintenance Services Inc. purchase and install a 44.06 kW solar system. Management & Maintenance Services is a nonresidential property management company in Maize. The project is estimated to replace 54,683 kWh per year, enough energy to power five homes.
• A $187,680 grant will assist Stainless Systems Inc. purchase and install a 220.8 kW solar array. Stainless Systems is a rolled steel shape manufacturer in South Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 323,308 kWh per year, enough energy to power 29 homes.
• A $57,824 grant will assist Bravo Charlie Properties LLC of Salina, purchase and install a 29 kW solar system. The project is estimated to generate 39,377 kWh per year, enough energy to power three homes.
• A $78,740 grant will assist American Hotels LLC of Salina, purchase and install a 74.2 kW solar system. The project is estimated to replace 112,273 kWh per year, enough energy to power 10 homes.
• A $60,430 grant will assist PE Marina of Lawrence, purchase and install a 10.76 kW solar array with battery backup. The project is estimated to replace 15,000 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home.
• A $185,000 grant will assist Flint Hills Industries Inc. of Hillsboro, purchase and install two 120 kW solar systems. The project is estimated to generate 366,015 kWh annually and replace 45 percent of the business’s annual energy needs.
• A $54,021 grant will assist Weddle and Sons Inc. purchase and install an 899 kW solar system. Weddle and Sons Inc. is a commercial construction company in Manhattan. This project is estimated to generate 50.896 kWh per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• A $450,000 grant will assist McShares Inc. purchase and install a 450 kW solar array. McShares Inc. is a food manufacturer in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 618,961 kWh per year, enough energy to power 57 homes.
• A $122,500 grant will assist HABCO Inc. purchase and install a 140 kW solar array. HABCO is a contractor in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 182,785 kWh per year, enough energy to power 16 homes.
• A $137,828 grant will assist Color By Design Inc. purchase and install a 74.8 kW solar system. Color by Design is a paint and home improvement store in Hutchinson. The project is projected to produce 118,119 kWh annually and will replace 100 percent of the facility’s annual energy usage.
• A $164,724 grant will assist Stinger Inc. purchase and install a 140.6 kW solar array. Stinger Inc. is a farm machinery and equipment business in Burrton. The project is estimated to replace 201,119 kWh per year, enough energy to power 19 homes.
• A $215,000 grant will help I & I Enterprise LLC purchase and install 84 kW and 100 kW solar arrays. I & I Enterprise is a lessor of non-residential buildings in Salina. The project is estimated to replace 201,943 kWh per year, which is enough energy to power 19 homes.
• A $90,388 grant will assist Schwartz Farms Inc. of Longford, replace heat lamps with heat mats. The project is estimated to save 202,326 kWh per year, enough energy to power 18 homes.
• A $26,453 grant will assist Gordon W. Schmidt Trust purchase and install energy efficient irrigation equipment. Schmidt Trust operates a corn farm in Inman. The project is estimated to save 13,212 kWh per year, enough energy to power one home.