Federal Grants Support Rural Energy Producers in NJ
State Director Jane Asselta visits Berenato Farms in Hammonton. Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture
HAMMONTON - USDA RD New Jersey continues to provide Rural Energy for America grants to rural producers and small businesses in the state.
State Director Jane Asselta announced three new energy grants for New Jersey this year.
The projects were funded under the Rural Energy for America Program, under the federal Department of Agriculture, which helps agricultural producers and rural small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments to lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations.
The announcement was recently made at J A Berenato Farms in Hammonton, where a $165,880 grant allowed the family-owned produce farm to install a solar array that lowers the farm’s energy usage by more than 100 percent annually.
“Visiting with Joe ‘Pepe’ Berenato, I learned just how important this solar project is to his farm’s bottom line – how much he’s already saving on his electric bill each month and how quickly he will recoup his investment, thanks to the Rural Energy for America Program 50% grant he received,” Asselta said, told ROI-NJ. “The only thing he asked is if other farms like his might get higher consideration for future awards. With our State Director Priority Points policy, farmers can rest assured their efforts reflect increased scoring for these applications.”
2024 REAP projects in New Jersey include:
Godwink Farms in Frenchtown, received a $43,673 grant for a solar array to power its horse training and veterinary facilities;
IHM Clinton, a franchise representative of Hampton Inn Hotel Group, received a $157,716 grant to install a roof mounted solar array offering enough electricity to power 17 households; and
North Jersey RC&D, a nonprofit based in Asbury that focuses on community and conservation, received a $250,000 Technical Assistance grant to serve agricultural producers and rural small businesses in a six-county area in the northern part of the state.
Since the start of 2023, New Jersey Rural Development has obligated funding for 29 energy efficiency projects around the state totaling an estimated $22 million.
