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BOZEMAN — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced 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,” Williams said. “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 include:
Town and Country Supply Association in Billings 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 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, people can visit https://www.rd.usda.gov .
To receive USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page and follow on Twitter @RD_Montana.
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, people can call 406-585-2587 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/mt .
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