U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kansas Director Christy Davis says the USDA is awarding more than $650,000 in grants to help rural Kansans in seven communities build renewable energy generation systems or improve their existing energy efficiency. One of those grants will come to Miami County. A $78,801 grant will help Sutherland Family Limited Partnership purchase and install a 44.88 kw solar system. Sutherland family operates Sutherland Shopping Center in Paola. This project is expected to replace 58,611 kwh of electricity per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.
Another will go to Osage City… a $131,950 grant will help Controlled Environmental Warehousing llc, purchase and install a 144.4 kw solar system. This project is expected to replace 205,859 kwh per year, enough energy to power 18 homes.
Davis says with this program Kansas farmers and rural business owners can expand their operations while lowering energy costs, and the grants will support rural communities with clean energy production and improved efficiency.
