Businesses in Santa Rosa and Vaughn Awarded Funds for Rural Energy Grants

Note 10/31: Times of events were changed - new times added.

USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner announced today that V & S Variety Store in Santa Rosa and Lalo’s Convenience Store in Vaughn have qualified to receive grant monies for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

To celebrate the commitment of the funds, Congressman Harry Teague will join Mr. Brunner on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:00 10:30 AM to present a certificate of obligation to the Rivera family, owners of V & S Variety Store at the store located at 123 4th Street in Santa Rosa. At 1:30 12:30 PM, Mr. Brunner will present a certificate of obligation to Lalo Padilla at Lalo’s Convenience Store, 1307 East 8th Street, Vaughn.

V & S Variety Store will receive $2,980 to replace two aging coolers with new, efficient ones for their small rural business. Lalo’s will receive $38,569 to initiate the construction of a wind turbine which will create renewable energy to power their business. Through the REAP Program USDA Rural Development provides up to twenty-five percent of the cost of each project in grant funds.

In making the announcement Brunner said, "Funding these projects helps small business owners take advantage of the latest technologies to make their businesses run more efficiently and reduce their costs. I applaud Lalo’s and V & S Variety Store for being aggressive, creative and resourceful in their efforts to support their small business.” Brunner added, “Small businesses provide essential services to our rural communities and we all have to do what we can to help them prosper.”

The REAP grant and loan guarantee program, administered by Rural Development’s Business and Cooperative Programs, has loan guarantees and grant funds for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, and energy audits. Further information on REAP and other Rural Development programs can be obtained by calling 505-761-4953 or by visiting USDA’s website.