Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded $1,966,511 in USDA funding heading to New Hampshire through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and further funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, REAP provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. 

“When we invest in our rural communities and businesses, our entire economy feels the benefits,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “It’s great to see this significant funding heading to businesses across our state to help upgrade their energy systems to be more efficient, streamline operations, and lower costs across the board. I was proud to help reauthorize the Rural Energy for America Program in the 2018 Farm Bill, and this announcement is another example of the positive impact the program is having on New Hampshire and our communities!”

“Ensuring that Granite State small businesses can lower their energy costs remains a top priority of mine in Congress, and I’m pleased that these federal funds are returning to New Hampshire to allow rural businesses and farmers to make these needed investments in renewable energy,” said Congressman Pappas. “These funds will go a long way to giving our communities the tools to transition to clean energy, which is vital to lowering costs, protecting our environment, and driving further economic growth.”

“Our farmers, agricultural producers and rural small businesses are often hit the hardest by the disastrous impacts of climate change,” said Senator Shaheen. “With this funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, rural communities will be able to invest in renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements to strengthen their resiliency and save their businesses money.”

“The nearly two million dollars in USDA funding going to New Hampshire today, thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act, will be a critical resource in helping rural farms and small businesses across the Granite State get access to clean energy and improve energy efficiency,” said Senator Hassan. “These investments will help lower energy costs for Granite Staters while protecting our environment.” 

“To the business owners, farmers and producers who invested in their futures, and ours, with renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects, we applaud your sustainable, climate-smart approach to growing your operations,” said Sarah Waring, State Director of USDA Rural Development in Vermont and New Hampshire. “Today’s announcement underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing and consistent commitment to rural America, focused on improving the lives of our neighbors who need our help the most.”

Projects that received funding include:

• Circle Self-Storage in Belmont ($93,190)
• Cathedral Ledge Distillery in North Conway ($31,999)
• Ambix Manufacturing in Albany ($153,006)
• Harrisville Designs in Harrisville ($100,862)
• State Line Truck Service in Fitzwilliam ($85,196)
• Forbes Family Partnership in Lancaster ($51,488)
• On 2 SPE in Thornton ($94,963)
• Micro Mama’s in Weare ($52,846)
• Amanda Training Center in Concord ($123,987)
• 19 Nimble Hill Realty in Newington ($92,990)
• Broadmarch Growers in Deerfield ($44,484)
• Wentworth in Rollinsford ($151,109)
• 35 Industrial Management in Rochester ($735,000)
• Dover Flexo Electronics in Rochester ($130,807)
• Sugar River Golf Club in Newport ($24,584)

The Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) was reauthorized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, which Kuster was a lead negotiator of and fought to get signed into law. The Inflation Reduction Act, which the New Hampshire delegation strongly advocated for, provided an additional $2 billion to grow the program and expand access nationwide.

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