Cache and Box Elder businesses receive federal funding to be more energy efficient – Cache Valley Daily

LOGAN – Two area businesses are receiving some financial support from the federal government as they become more energy efficient. The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes funding available through Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to help rural businesses lower energy costs.

Logan company AE Properties LLC will install a 54 kilowatt solar array on its building located at 60 West 1000 North (currently occupied by Elevate Pest Control), helping the business to replace 98% of its annual electricity usage throughout the year. The company received a grant in the amount of $32,265 to help fund the project.

In Brigham City, Hammer Head LLC will install a 68.6 kilowatt roof-mounted solar array on its building located at 675 South Main (currently occupied by K&H Fitness). The solar panels will end up replacing 100% of the annual electricity used by the company. The REAP grant Hammer Head will be receiving is worth $39,621.

Both AE Properties and Hammer Head are commercial leasing companies.

“Business owners who take advantage of energy-saving and cost-cutting technology are in a better position to create jobs,” USDA Rural Development Utah State Director Randy Parker said in a statement. “USDA is committed to partnering with rural businesses so they in turn are strong partners for their communities.”

In total, over $31.6 million in grants and nearly $207 million in loans were provided to applicants nationwide. Funding and loans can be used for energy audits and install renewable energy sources, like biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. The funds can also be used to increase energy efficiency.

USDA has also recently announced $550 million of funding for its ReConnect Pilot Program. That money is intended to help increase and improve broadband infrastructure in rural areas throughout the country. The application for this round of funding will open on January 31, 2020.