HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-24 Correspondence - USDA Invests Nearly $3.2 Million to Boost Fertilizer Production and Generate Energy Efficiencies in Montana’s Rural AreasFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:[EXTERNAL]USDA Invests Nearly $3.2 Million to Boost Fertilizer Production and Generate Energy Efficiencies inMontana’s Rural AreasDate:Monday, January 22, 2024 2:14:32 PM
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News Release
Contact: mark.mccann@usda.gov
USDA Invests Nearly $3.2 Million to Boost Fertilizer Productionand Generate Energy Efficiencies in Montana’s Rural Areas
Bozeman, Mont., Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced today investments
of nearly $3.2. million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to help
Montanans lower energy bills and make domestically produced fertilizer more accessible
to farmers in Big Sky Country.
“One way to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses retain more income for
their families and communities is by helping them lower their operating costs, in these
cases for fertilizer and energy,” said Williams. “Today’s investments highlight just two
ways USDA is continuing its commitment to address supply chain issues, and, overall,
help our rural communities and businesses grow and thrive.”
Montana awards were among more than $200 million invested in projects across 42 states
through two signature USDA Rural Development programs - the Rural Energy for America
Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).
REAP investments help rural small businesses and agricultural producers lower energy
costs and generate new income, while FPEP boosts domestic production and strengthens
supply chains, making fertilizer more accessible and affordable for small farmers.
Montana’s funding recipients announced today include:
Town and Country Supply Association in Billings, Montana, received a $2.9 million
Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) grant to help expand its production
facility. This includes construction of a 27,000 square foot processing and storage facility
and two railyard tracks for railcar storage to service the facility. The project will increase
availability of domestic fertilizer and is expected to create eight new jobs.
From the Ground Up, LLC, in Conrad, Montana, received a $230,961 Rural Energy for
America Program (REAP) grant to replace doors and windows and make system
upgrades for lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning at the Conrad Mercantile
Building. These energy efficiency improvements are expected to save the company more
than $16,000 in annual energy costs.
In total, USDA invested more than $166 million in 40 projects nationwide to boost fertilizer
production through FPEP, including $6.2 million in two Montana projects, and more than
$1.6 billion through REAP in 5,457 projects nationwide, including $4.5 million in 72
Montana projects over the past year.
USDA Rural Development offers grants, loans, and loan guarantees to expand economic
opportunities, improve infrastructure, and provide safe, affordable housing for residents in
rural and Tribal communities. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
To receive USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page and
follow on Twitter @RD_Montana.
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USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural and
Tribal areas in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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