Four St. Croix businesses have addressed their energy needs by taking advantage of programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency. “Four St. Croix businesses have received the REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grants to reduce their energy consumption and costs,” Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen said in a press release issued on Thursday. The recipients are:
• Two Plus Two, LLC of 17A La Grande Princesse – awarded a grant of $26,000 to install energy efficiency improvements to HVAC and lighting.
• Stowaway Self Storage Inc. of 2001 Mt. Welcome – awarded a grant of $19,997 to install a solar photovoltaic system. Stowaway Self Storage, Inc.
• Legacy Restaurants LLC of 1013 Whim – awarded $18,835 to install a solar photovoltaic system.
• Sunny Isle Developers LLC of 4500 Sunny Isle – awarded $11,168 to install energy efficient lighting.
Delegate to Congress Christensen has encouraged territorial businesses to apply for REAP funding to convert to renewable energy and reduce their costs. Several businesses have already been utilizing the program since 2011. On Aug. 26 and 27, Christensen along with federal partners from the USDA, the Small Business Administration and the VI Small Business Development Center will host workshops at the VISBDC training facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix to show other farmers and businesspersons how to apply for and receive REAP and other loan and grant funding.
“Residents will be able to meet and talk with feds and fill out the necessary paperwork at these two events which will be held at the VISBDC Training Facilities at the Nisky Center on St. Thomas and at the Sion Farm Shopping Center on St. Croix,” she said. To register, call the Delegate’s offices at 774-4408, or for more information, call 778-5900.
REAP grants and loans are aimed at helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects.