EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023
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THE ENERGY ISSUE<br />
EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTO / CONTRIBUTED<br />
Duhme makes a variety of brats that he keeps cool in his retail operation,<br />
where a wall of freezers running 24/7 consume a great deal of energy.<br />
happened,” he said.<br />
He is among the rural small<br />
business owners and agricultural<br />
producers in Eastern Iowa<br />
who are using the Rural Energy<br />
for America Program (REAP).<br />
Administered by the USDA<br />
Rural Development Office,<br />
the program provides guaranteed<br />
loan financing and grant<br />
funding for renewable energy<br />
systems or to make energy efficiency<br />
improvements, including<br />
wind and solar generation<br />
at small and large scales.<br />
“It was a gut shot to finance.<br />
It’s a lot of money,” Duhme<br />
said of the renewable energy<br />
‘REAP’ing rewards from<br />
investment program<br />
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) helps increase<br />
American energy independence by increasing the private sector<br />
supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for<br />
energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time,<br />
these investments can also help lower the cost of energy for<br />
small businesses and agricultural producers.<br />
The program, which is administered by USDA Rural<br />
Development, includes loan guarantees on loans up to 75<br />
percent of total eligible project costs; grants for up to 50 percent<br />
of total eligible project costs; and combined grant and loan<br />
guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.<br />
The Rural Development office in Tipton serves Benton, Cedar,<br />
Clinton, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn and<br />
Scott counties.<br />
For more information, call (563) 886-6006 or visit rd.usda.<br />
gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-americaprogram-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiencyimprovement-guaranteed-loans/ia<br />
LET US<br />
HELP YOU!<br />
• FREE DELIVERY<br />
• Convenient Drive-Up<br />
• 24 Hour, 7 Days a<br />
Week Emergency<br />
Service<br />
918 W. Platt • Phone 652-5611<br />
• 1-800-224-5611 • Maquoketa<br />
Open Mon. - Fri. 8-6 • Sat. 8-1 • Sun. 9-1<br />
www.osterhausrx.com<br />
eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 75
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