Four KS communities selected for $600k clean energy grant

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Four Kansas communities have been selected to receive part of $607,815 to invest in renewable energy as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program.

Wichita State University (WSU), Holton, Leavenworth County and Paola were all selected to receive grant funds. They are part of a larger national program that distributed grant funds to 29 other states.

“Rural Development is investing in rural Kansas to help expand power generation and improve efficiency.” Director Davis said. “These projects will ensure rural Kansans have access to reliable, affordable energy no matter where they live.”

The projects selected in Kansas were:

• Wichita State University
  • $500,000 to help disadvantaged communities in Kansas and encourage under-used technologies and Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) grant requests below $20,000. The USDA said WSU will also work to promote REAP across Kansas.
• Holton
  • $24,760 grant to help purchase and install a walk-in cooler with new refrigeration equipment for Holton Meat Processing. This project is expected to save 77,671 kWh per year, enough energy to power seven homes, according to the USDA.
• Leavenworth County
  • $50,825 grant to purchase and install a 30 kW solar system for Z&M Twisted Vines Wines and Winery LLC in Leavenworth County. The USDA said the project is expected to replace 43,234 kWh of electricity per year, enough energy to power four homes.
• Paola
  • $32,230 grant to purchase and install a 22 kW solar system for G.K. Smith and Sons Inc., an HVAC repair and installation company in Paola. According to the USDA, the project is expected to replace 30,223 kWh of electricity annually, enough energy to power two homes.

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