12 rural Maine businesses receive USDA grants to install solar
Courtesy / USDA
At Thursday's announcement of the 12 Maine businesses receiving REAP grants, from left: Nick Sampson, ReVision Energy; Timothy P. Hobbs, State Director, USDA Rural Development; Bette Brand, Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development; Valerie Cole, Owner, Andy’s Agway; Andy Cole, Owner, Andy’s Agway; Pam Trinward, Field Representative, Office of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree; Alexandria Pelczar, State Office Representative, Office of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins; Katie Fellows, Constituent Services Representative, Office of U.S. Sen. Angus King, Jr.
Andy’s Agway in Dayton is one of 12 Maine companies receiving Rural Energy for America Program grants to support solar energy projects that reduce their annual energy costs.
USDA Rural Development Rural Business and Cooperative Service Administrator Bette Brand announced the grants at an event hosted by Andy’s Agway on Thursday.
“I am so pleased that USDA Rural Development can be a part of supporting Andy’s Agway and 11 other rural Maine businesses,” Brand said in a news release. “Maine business owners are the champions of economic development in rural communities, and these grants will support jobs and help ensure our rural communities are prosperous places to live.”
12 companies receive grants
Here’s how the 12 Maine grant recipients plan to use their shares of the $156,000 in grant funding through the Rural Energy for America Program:
Andy’s Agway, Dayton: $14,215 to install solar renewable energy at its business, replacing all of its fossil fuel energy needs. ReVision Energy will be the contractor installing the solar array at the family-owned business. Andy's Agway supplies the local area with livestock feed, hay, animal bedding and pet food and supplies along with farm equipment, gardening tools and vegetable and flower seedlings. This project will save $2,700 per year and generate 28,861 kilowatt-hours annually, replacing all of the business’s energy needs.
Avena Botanicals, Rockport: $14,385 to purchase and install a 15.36 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array, which is expected to save $3,256 per year, generate 20,932 kWh annually and replace all of the business’s energy needs. Avena Botanicals is an herbal apothecary that grows and produces botanical products and provides training in traditional herbal medicine.
650 Cape Road Holdings LLC., Standish: $11,371 to purchase and install a 20.16 kWh solar array. 650 Cape Road Holdings is a real estate holding company owning and leasing property. Tower Publishing, a leading independent publisher of legal and business books in the New England area, will benefit from this solar installation, which will replace 16,353 kWh (77% of the business’s energy need) and save $2,584 year.
Songbird Farm LLC., Unity: $4,746 to purchase and install a 13.44 kW solar array. Songbird Farm is a small certified organic mixed vegetable and grain farm. Their products are sold primarily to wholesale markets, local natural food stores and coops and a regional distributor. This project will save $1,534 per year and generate 15,845 kWh annually.
Chloe Allegra Holding LLC., dba Modernist Pantry, Eliot: $5,568 to purchase and install a 41.6 kW roof-mounted solar array. Chloe Allegra Holdings LLC is a real estate holding company that owns Modernist Pantry LLC, which supplies hard-to-find ingredients and culinary tools for its customers. This project will generate 416,526 kWh annually and meet 95% of the business’s energy needs, realizing $8,375 in savings per year.
Shawnee Peak Holdings LLC., Bridgton: $12,991 to purchase and install a 20.48 kW roof-mounted solar array. Shawnee Peak Holdings owns and operates Shawnee Peak, a ski recreational facility in operation for more than 80 years. This project will save $3,675 annually and generate 22,971 kWh annually, meeting all the business’s energy needs.
Foreign Autoworks Inc., Kittery: $15,761 to purchase and install a 24.09 kW solar array. Foreign Autoworks has been providing automobile and light truck repairs services for over 43 years in southern Maine. This project will save $3,924 per year and generate 27,149 kWh annually.
Fogtown Brewing Co. LLC, Ellsworth: $9,750 to purchase and install a 17.4 kW solar array to benefit this small business. Since 2017, Fogtown Brewing has been crafting its own variety of beers using Maine-grown berries, hops and oats and hosting community friendly entertainment. This project will replace 20,768 kWh annually, meeting 76% of the company’s energy needs and saving $3,634 per year.
Lee S. Wilbur & Co., Southwest Harbor: $13,475 to purchase and install a 21.56 kW roof-mounted solar array. Since 1973, Lee S. Wilbur & Co. has been producing high-quality custom yachts. This project will replace 26,429 kWh annually, meeting 54% of the company’s energy needs and saving $4,229 per year.
32 Lovers Lane LLC., Cushing: $20,000 to purchase and install a 67.62 kW ground-mounted solar array. 32 Lovers Lane LLC is a real estate holding company. This project will realize $13,533 in savings per year and replace 90,223 kWh, or 99% of the current energy source, which is enough electricity to power eight homes.
487 Development Corp. LLC., Pittsfield: $13,378 to purchase and install a 34.2 kW roof-mounted solar array. 487 Development Corp. is a real estate holding company providing rental spaces and services that reduce risk for local businesses, assist in developing quality jobs, demonstrate environmental leadership and strives to strengthen their local community's economic health. This project will replace 33,908 kWh (47%) and realize $5,086 in savings per year.
JR Fabrication, New Portland: $20,000 to purchase and install a 42.24 kW roof-mounted solar array. JR Fabrication produces custom metal parts, components and products. This project will realize $10,458 in savings per year and replace 50,178 kWh annually.
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