HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) on Friday announced $2.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lower costs, expand access to clean energy, and strengthen Connecticut’s small farms and rural small businesses. The funds are awarded through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a program that enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements.

“Delivering clean, reliable energy to our rural communities doesn’t just help us tackle climate change—it cuts household costs and improves public health. This $2.8 million in federal funding will make it more affordable for small farms and local businesses in rural areas to invest in energy-efficient upgrades like solar panels and battery retrofits, lowering energy bills for Connecticut families, reducing air and water pollution, and protecting our environment for generations to come,” said Murphy.

“This $2.8 million in federal funding will bolster energy efficiency, lower costs, and support our farms and small businesses – a critical investment in our state’s environment and economy. I will continue fighting for federal support that strengthens Connecticut’s farmers and small business owners and allows them to grow and succeed,” said Blumenthal.

"Eastern Connecticut is home to outstanding farmers, producers, and rural small businesses who rely on Congress to provide support and a level playing field to succeed. This new federal funding, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help CT farmers and rural businesses lower their operating costs by transitioning to cleaner energy systems. Kudos to the organizations who put forth competitive applications to secure this highly sought-after funding,” said Courtney.

The funding announced today will support the following local projects:

  • $787,413 for Commercial Sewing Inc. for the purchase and installation of a roof mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar system
  • $752,981 for Goldi-Locks Solar for the purchase and installation of a roof mounted PV solar system
  • $460,231 for Aider LLC for the purchase and installation of a roof and ground mounted PV solar system
  • $318,826  for Geissler’s Supermarkets Inc. for the purchase and installation of a roof mounted PV solar system
  • $249,900 for CSFS LLC for the purchase and installation of a roof mounted PV solar system
  • $168,250 for Geissler’s Supermarkets Inc. for energy efficient building upgrades
  • $50,000 for Howling Flats Farm LLC for the retrofitting of a battery energy storage system
  • $19,163 to Select Seeds Co Inc. for the purchase and installation of a more energy-efficient under-bench heating system
  • $14,654 for Full Heart Farm for the purchase and installation of a roof mounted PV solar system
  • $13,621 for Halfinger Farms for the purchase and installation of a ground mounted PV solar system

REAP is a part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

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