Support your local businesses

Shine a light on issues that matter—support local news with your gift today. WINNESHIEK COUNTY — Six local businesses and farms in Winneshiek County are set to benefit from more than $480,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support clean energy projects, announced on January 14 by USDA Rural Development State Director Theresa Greenfield. The funding is part of a broader national initiative to support rural communities through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which aims to help farmers and small business owners improve energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $3 billion for 11,221 projects through REAP. "Rural America is the backbone of our economy and key to enabling our energy independence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels," said Director Greenfield. "At USDA, we will continue working to expand clean energy, lower costs for Iowans, and build an economy that benefits working families and small businesses." The following Winneshiek County businesses and farms will receive USDA support through REAP: Lensing Dairy LLC (Calmar) – $339,193Lensing Dairy will install a 348.5 kW solar array at its dairy and milk production facility. This project is expected to generate 405,996 kWh of energy per year, enough to power 37 homes, saving the operation nearly $42,000 annually. Timothy Bohr (Castalia) – $42,947Timothy Bohr will use the grant to install a 42.64 kW rooftop solar array at his corn production farm. The system will generate 48,201 kWh of energy annually, saving the operation about $7,300 per year, enough to power five homes. Huinker Durocs LTD (Decorah) – $43,050This hog and pig production operation will install a 34 kW solar array, expected to save the business $5,680 per year. The system will replace 47,873 kWh of energy annually, which is enough to power four homes. Dan Bullerman (Calmar) – $21,149A 23 kW solar array at Bullerman's grain production operation will generate 28,536 kWh annually, providing enough energy to power two homes. This project is expected to save the business $4,261 each year. A.C. Development LLC (Calmar) – $16,721A.C. Development will install a 15.52 kW solar array at its nonresidential property management business. The project is expected to generate 16,837 kWh annually and provide $2,505 in energy savings each year, enough to power one home. Luann Schmitt (Ossian) – $25,100Schmitt's 20.5 kW solar array for her corn production farm will generate 23,976 kWh annually, saving her approximately $3,798 per year, enough energy to power two homes. These grants are part of a larger national announcement made on January 10, available here. REAP grant recipients will continue to be announced as applications are received and reviewed by the USDA. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.

Support your local businesses

A Clean County: Six Named Recipients of USDA Grants in Winneshiek Alone