Rep. Axne Announces over $84,000 in Renewable Energy Grants from USDA Rural Development

August 28, 2020
Press Release

Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced $84,165 in new federal grants to enable the purchase and installation of new renewable energy equipment across Iowa’s Third Congressional District, including two solar systems to provide electricity in rural parts of Mills and Cass counties.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency grants are provided through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is funded through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.

“As a former Division Administrator at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, I know that we can chart a path toward a cleaner energy future while still supporting economic growth and prosperity,” said Rep. Axne. “These new grants from USDA Rural Development are precisely the investments Iowa needs to ensure we are modernizing our energy infrastructure and protecting our environment while supporting our farmers and businesses to have more sustainable growth in the months and years ahead.”

The grants for Iowa’s Third Congressional District were awarded as follows:

  • $38,000 to Vorthman farm in Henderson to help purchase and install a solar system
  • $11,225 for PCI Investments, Inc. to help purchase and install a solar system to provide electricity in rural Glenwood
  • $10,965 for Davis family farm in West Des Moines to purchase and install a solar array
  • $8,025 for Circle J Enterprises to purchase and install a solar system to provide electricity in rural Cumberland
  • $9,800 for Baur Farms, Inc. in Van Meter to purchase and install a grain dryer 
  • $6,150 for Kestrel Inc, a vaccine production facility in West Des Moines, to purchase and install a solar array

Rep. Axne has been a strong advocate for the benefits of REAP investments. 

In March, Rep. Axne sent a letter to Congressional appropriators requesting full discretionary funding, which was included in agriculture appropriations legislation passed by the House in July. 

Rep. Axne also highlighted the importance of REAP during a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing on farm energy programs last month.