Businesses get federal funding to switch to solar power

Several businesses in Illinois, and two in the Quad Cities area, are getting federal funding to transition to solar power.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $2,869,784 in funding to help businesses in rural Illinois make the switch to solar power. The funding is part of the department’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and will help businesses buy and install solar arrays to help power their businesses while saving money on power costs, conserving energy and creating good-paying jobs.

Locally, Midland Golf Club in Kewanee and Harold’s Furniturein Rock Falls will receive funding to help install solar panels.

“Transitioning to solar power will help lead Illinois into a future of clean, renewable energy use while creating economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).“With this federal support that was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re investing in our farmers and rural businesses to help them save more of their hard-earned dollars by reducing their electric bills while also conserving energy.”

“These REAP projects are funded by the Biden Administration using part of the $1 billion that Congress provided in the historic Inflation Reduction Act,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “This program helps farmers and rural businesses save money in electric bills by installing renewable electricity on-site, and also improves the competitiveness of their products to meet growing consumer demand for climate-smart purchases.”

For more information on REAP, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.