San Juan, PR.,– USDA Rural Development Director for Puerto Rico, Maximiliano J. Trujillo-Ortega announced during a Press Conference with DOE Secretary Grandholm in the Puerto Rico Convention Center, that USDA Rural Development has awarded $5,520,498 to 22 Rural Busssines in Puerto Rico. The awardees have invested from their own funds $6,774,002 for a total investment of $14,815,210. These awards will help farmers and small business owners to expand access to clean energy, create jobs and help lower their energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“Farmers, and rural business owners are the backbone of our economy, and we are partnering with them to expand their operations while creating jobs and lowering energy costs,” Trujillo-Ortega said. “This investment supports rural communities as they transition to clean energy and drive economic prosperity across the Archipelago of Puerto Rico.”
REAP Investments Lower Costs and Create Jobs
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.4 billion in approximately 8,500 renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements since President Biden took office. This includes more than 3,000 clean energy projects totaling more than $800 million which were made possible because of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
The investments announced today will help make it possible for agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand renewable energy sources, and make energy efficiency improvements.
Some examples:
- Bach and Stern LLC a rural small business located in Carolina was awarded $844,662 to develop a renewable energy system that will realize $510,749 per year savings. They contributed $2,021,262 from their own funds for a total investment of $2,865,924.
- Trofima Corporation a rural small business located in Arecibo was awarded $1,000,000 to develop a renewable energy system that will realize a $532,663 per year savings. They contributed $1,076,901 from their own funds for a total investment of $2,076,901.
- Bananera Fabre Inc. an agricultural producer farm located in Sabana Grande was awarded $200,000 to make energy-efficiency improvement to their operations. They contributed $200,000 from their own funds for a total investment of $400,000.
- Other 19 rural small business and agricultural producer were awarded funds to develop renewable energy system or energy-efficiency improvements.
Also, the municipality of Aibonito was awarded $993,000 to repair Storm Water System the funds came from FY 2025 Disaster Community Facilities Funds.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.