On December 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the award of $633 million in projects to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities.

"Rural America is on the front lines of climate change, and our communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” Vilsack said. “President Biden has created a roadmap for how we can tackle the climate crisis and expand access to renewable energy infrastructure, all while creating good-paying jobs and saving people money on their energy costs. With the Build Back Better agenda, USDA will be able to fund more and more critical projects like those announced today in the coming months and years.”

Pennsylvania projects received funding from two programs--

-- Community Facilities Disaster Grants: Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.   Communities can apply at any time.

-- Rural Energy for America Program: The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.  The next deadline for applications is March 31, 2022

The Pennsylvania Community Facilities Disaster projects were awarded $195,300 in grants for--

-- Danville Borough - $23,200

-- Canton Borough - $84,500

-- Port Carbon Borough - $17,900

-- Montgomery Borough - $19,100

-- Borough Of Briar Creek - $28,300

-- Animal Care Fund - $22,300

The Pennsylvania  Rural Energy for America projects were awarded $1,057,200 in grants for--

-- Shamokin Filler Company - $125,000

-- Miele Manufacturing - $132,763

-- Protektor Model Company - $22,605

-- Yoder Barns & Storage - $32,500

-- K Castings, Inc. - $41,037

-- Hoffman Transport, Inc. - $50,000

-- Drew Johnson - $40,000

-- Triple H. Farms, Inc. - $25,000

-- Green Tree Farms - $22,042

-- Landyshade Dairy Farms - $35,000

-- Sables - $102,413

-- One Source Office Refreshment Service - $50,000

-- Harmony Mountain Institute for Living - $59,350

-- Nexus 1 - $83,725

-- Frost Ridge Maple Farm - $22,565

-- Rudy Wolgemuth - $17,900

Click Here for the list of projects awarded.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Related Articles This Week:

-- EPA Awards PA $240.4 Million In Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding For Water Infrastructure That Prioritizes Underserved Communities  [PaEN]

-- EPA Awards $2.4 Million Grant To Chester, Delaware County For Green Stormwater Infrastructure  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Accepting Applications From Farm, Forest Landowners Along Kittatinny Ridge To Permanently Preserve Sensitive Lands  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications For $300,000 For Funding Forest Easements In 12 PA Counties  [PaEN]

-- NFWF Accepting Applications For Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program Thru Jan. 25  [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: William Penn Foundation Provides $1.65 Million To Create New Delaware River Climate Corps To Train Workers For Conservation, Green Careers

[Posted: December 4, 2021]

12/6/2021