By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – Federal funding will be used to help two Tomahawk businesses improve their energy efficiency.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small announced $19.5 million in investments across three U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives aimed at “helping farmers adopt new climate-smart agricultural practices, supporting community infrastructure and increasing economic development in rural Wisconsin towns and communities.”
Investments in Wisconsin included $11.92 million in rural jobs and infrastructure awards across five projects; $5 million to expand access to renewable energy and lower energy costs for rural Americans through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) across 40 projects; and $2.6 million in Rural Partners Network awards across 19 projects.
The Tomahawk-area projects were supported by Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.).
A total of $106,183.00 allocated to Tomahawk Terminal Company LLC will be used to install a small solar electric array.
The project is expected to save $5,998.00 per year and will replace 103,225 kilowatt hours (kW), 100% of the business’s energy use, per year, enough energy to power nine homes, according to USDA.
An allocation of $13,475.00 will be put towards the installation of a small solar-electric array at Sunset Acres LLC, a local farming operation.
USDA said the project is expected to save $1,369.00 and replace 11,602 kWh (100%) annually, enough energy to power one home.
Projects in Abbotsford, Aniwa, Athens, Edgar and Wausau also received funding.
“Thanks to President Biden’s historic investment in rural America, USDA is providing new opportunities for rural people in their hometowns,” Torres Small stated. “USDA is investing in farmers to promote growth and build a stronger, more sustainable economy for people in rural communities throughout Wisconsin and across our country.”
A full list of projects is available at www.tinyurl.com/yjk56ry2.
About USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to “help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas.”
“This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas,” USDA said.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi.