Rural Energy for America grants awarded in Arkansas

Written and Published by Talk Business & Politics Staff

U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Bruce Westerman and Steve Womack—announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded over $90,000 in federal grants to Arkansas-based companies as part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

The funding aims to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems and improve energy efficiency at their operations.

The grants came on Earth Day (April 22), an annual event since 1970 now observed globally that highlights the importance of protecting and conserving the environment.

The following projects were awarded REAP funds:

Cox Pirani Farms (Osceola) $15,786 to purchase and install a new grain drying system at this row crop farming operation in Mississippi County.

Black River Health Club (Pocahontas) $20,000 to purchase and install a 41.3 kW rooftop solar array at this locally-owned health and wellness gym in Randolph County.

Sunset Lodge (Little Rock) $20,000 to purchase and install a 44.6 kW rooftop solar array for the locally-owned and operated event center in rural Pulaski County.

Crow Group (Morrilton) $12,255 to purchase and install a 19.4 kW rooftop solar array at the print shop of a local construction management and general contracting company owned by the Crow Group Inc. in Conway County.

Kerusso Activewear Inc. (Berryville)$3,877 to purchase LED lighting and attic insulation to improve energy efficiency at its commercial manufacturing facility in Carroll County, which specializes in screen-printing textiles, T-shirts and sweatshirts.

Holt Builders Supply Inc. (Fordyce) $19,573 to install a 36.21 kW solar array on the rooftop of this local builders supply business in Dallas County.