Businesses in KLGR-area receive $10+ million in USDA Rural Development loans for energy projects

Numerous KLGR-area businesses are set to receive over $10 million dollars in USDA Rural Development loans for energy projects.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer announced Thursday the department is investing in critical infrastructure loans to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy for people across rural Minnesota, and combat climate change.

Agriculture producers, and entrepreneurs can purchase and install renewable energy systems, and make energy efficiency improvements.

Some KLGR-area businesses set to receive loans include:

USS Franklin Solar LLC, $2,015,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Franklin Solar LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity for sale to a local utility, purchase and install a 1.40 megawatt (MW) direct current (DC) solar system near Franklin. The system is estimated to produce 2,202,137 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 203 homes.

USS Danube Solar LLC, $1,950,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Danube LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity for sale to local utilities, purchase and install a 1.4 MW DC solar system in Danube. The system is estimated to produce 2,266,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity
per year, which is enough to power 209 homes.

USS Mesa Solar LLC, $2,070,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Mesa Solar LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity that will be sold to a utility, purchase and install a 1.40 MW DC solar system near Danube. The system is estimated to produce 2,228,004 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 205 homes.

USS Rosebud Solar LLC, $1,792,968
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Rosebud Solar LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity for sale to local utilities, purchase and install a 1.40 MW DC solar system near Morgan. The system is estimated to produce 2,266,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 209 homes.

USS Prokosch Solar LLC, $1,705,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Prokosch Solar LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity for sale to local utilities, purchase and install a 1.40 MW DC solar system near Bird Island. The system is estimated to produce 2,266,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 209 homes.

USS Peach Solar LLC $1,648,481
This Rural Development investment will be used to help USS Peach Solar LLC, a new entity created to generate electricity for sale to a local utility, purchase and install a 1.40 MW DC solar system near Mankato. The system is estimated to produce 2,126,095 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 196 homes.

Vandendriessche Bros LLC, $20,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to assist Vandendriessche Bros LLC, a family-owned farming operation near Marshall, purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. This
project is expected to save the farm $16,144 per year and will replace 311,169 kilowatt hours (kWh) (94.56 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power 28 homes.

Brian Meyer, $20,000
This Rural Development investment will be used help family farmer Brian Meyer purchase and install a 44 kilowatt (kW) solar array near Fairfax. This project will save the farm $3,846 in annual energy costs by replacing 82,031 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power seven homes.

ATD Farms Inc., $12,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help family farm ATD Farms Inc. purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer in Sanborn. This project will save the farm $5,166 in annual energy costs by replacing 90,279 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power eight homes.

Joey Whitcomb, $38,750
This Rural Development funds investment will be used to help family farmer Joey Whitcomb purchase and install a 25 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine near Lake Lillian. This project is expected to save the farm $10,545 in annual energy costs by replacing 109,980 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 10 homes.

TD Pork LLC, $20,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help livestock and grain producer TD Pork LLC purchase and install a 53 kilowatt (kW) solar array near Winthrop. This project will save the business $7,981 in annual energy costs by replacing 72,555 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power six homes.

Jamie S. Swenson, $40,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help commercial facility renter and hotel owner Jamie Swenson purchase and install a 25 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine to generate electricity for sale to the local utility near Spicer. This project is expected to save the business $10,943 in annual energy costs by replacing 109,980 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 10 homes.

Maranatha LLC, $40,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to help commercial real estate rental business Maranatha LLC purchase and install a 25 kilowatt (kW) wind turbine to generate electricity for sale to the local utility near Kandiyohi. This project is expected to save the business $10,943 in annual energy costs by replacing 109,980 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is enough to power 10 homes.