Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced over $1.2 million in funding awarded to 12 rural and small businesses and agriculture producers in Central Illinois to lower energy costs and strengthen their energy resilience.
“With so many families, farmers, and small businesses struggling with rising costs, I’m thrilled to announce critical funding awarded for our region to lower energy prices and build a more sustainable Central and Northwestern Illinois,” said Sorensen. “I will continue to make sure our district has a seat at the table when it comes to initiatives that bring relief as families deal with price increases.”
This funding comes as part of the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which awards funding to eligible entities to implement renewable energy projects and make energy efficiency improvements.
The 12 projects awarded to Northwestern Illinois businesses are as follows:
$17,981 for Harris Accounting INC in Macomb
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a 11kilowatt (kW) solar array for Harris Accounting Inc. This project will realize more than $2,600 per year in savings and will replace 13,945 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
“The REAP Grant made it possible for me to install solar on a building that had been vacant for nearly 5 years and relocate my business office from my home to the main commercial district in town. Without the help of the grant, I would not have relocated my business to its current location,” said Pat Harris.
$57,000 for Daniel Lewis in Macomb
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 37 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power the business. Daniel Lewis operates a real estate rental business located in Macomb, Illinois. This project will realize more than $7,200 per year in savings and will replace 47,262 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.
“Thanks for the REAP assistance which allowed us to install solar panels on the roof of our 128-year-old building located on the historic Macomb Downtown Square. The solar panels allowed us to start saving on our monthly electric bill substantially while complying with the historic preservation guidelines in our small rural community,” said Ruth Kelly.
$779,830 for Rock River Lumber and Grain CO in Prophetstown
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase and install 402 kW, 87 kW, 188 kW and 248 kW solar arrays at Rock River Lumber and Grain Company, a business operating grain elevators in Hooppole, Tampico, Morrison, and Walnut, Illinois. The project annually will save the business more than $114,100 and replace 1,264,959 kWh, enough energy to power 116 homes.
$20,000 for Edward Dykstra in Thomson
This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase a 17 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power Edward Dykstra Farms. This project will realize more than $1,800 per year in savings and will replace 14,372 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
$29,804 for England Farms, INC in Maquon
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 30-kW solar array at England Farms Inc., a grain- and livestock-production farm in Maquon, Illinois. The project annually will save the farm more than $3,000 and replace 33,015 kWh, enough energy to power three homes.
$41,534 for Kevin Malley in Galesburg
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 25-kW solar array to help power the farm of Kevin Malley, a grain farmer in Galesburg, Illinois. The project annually will save the farm more than $3,400 and replace 35,203 kWh, enough energy to power three homes.
$33,578 for Dennis Olson in Alexis
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 25 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power the farm. Dennis Olson is a grain farmer located in Alexis, Illinois. This project will realize more than $3,300 per year in savings and will replace 34,091 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power three homes.
$48,980 for Foster Coach Sales INC in Sterling
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 68 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power the business. Foster Coach Sales Inc. operates an RV sales business located in Sterling, Illinois. This project will realize more than $9,200 per year in savings and will replace 75,790 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power eight homes.
$112,512 for Marc Melton in Prophetstown
This Rural Development investment will be used to install 33, 27 and 13 kilowatt (kW) solar arrays to help power the farm. Marc Melton is a grain farmer located in Tampico and Prophetstown, Illinois. This project will realize more than $12,700 per year in savings and will replace 98,481 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power nine homes.
$26,519 for Mark Heun in Erie
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 35-kW solar array to help power the farm of Mark Heun, a grain farmer in Erie, Illinois. The project annually will save the farm more than $4,700 and replace 31,714 kWh, enough energy to power two homes.
$28,290 for Rock River Suto Body INC in Sterling
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 35 kilowatt (kW) solar array to help power the business. Rock River Auto Body Inc operates an auto repair shop located in Sterling, Illinois. This project will realize more than $6,900 per year in savings and will replace 44,460 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power four homes.
$45,222 for Roger Seiboldt in Victoria
This Rural Development investment will be used to install a 20 kW solar array to help power the farm of Roger Seiboldt, a grain farmer in Victoria, Illinois. The project annually will save the farm more than $3,200 and replace 28,482 kWh, enough energy to power two homes.
***Courtesy of Congressman Eric Sorensen***
