The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Virginia Rural Development office said last week that it has awarded $107,500 in grants to seven rural businesses and one individual in the state. The Augusta Free Press says that the grants are aimed at helping the recipients purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
The story says that the grants are being awarded through the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program. The funds may be used to purchase, install or construct renewable energy systems. The largest award was $19,999 to Associated Grain of Parksley; The smallest was $5,651 to Martin Horn of Charlottesville.
In December, Virginia announced that it will increase the percentage of renewable energy it uses by 8 percent over the course of the next three years.
