Farmers and small business owners in Piatt, Madison, and Macoupin Counties are set to benefit from $952,249 in federal funding announced by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, of Illinois’s 13th District. The grants, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will fund energy efficiency upgrades, including the installation of solar arrays, to lower energy costs and reduce emissions.

Among the recipients, Carlinville Associates LLC received $390,000 to support energy upgrades at the site of a future grocery store in Carlinville. Davis Anderson Funeral Homes, also in Carlinville, was awarded $57,841, while Behme Heritage Farms, a local grain operation, secured $47,267. Additionally, Rhodes Farm, which specializes in grain and livestock farming, will receive $69,900, and Marcus Davis Lawncare, a lawn care business, was granted $21,036.

In total, the funding will support projects expected to save $140,000 annually in energy costs for local businesses. The solar energy systems financed through these grants will generate enough electricity to power 75 homes, enhancing the region’s renewable energy capacity.

The REAP program provides critical support to agricultural producers and rural businesses by funding renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. These initiatives not only help reduce energy costs but also support sustainable business growth and lower harmful emissions.

Since its inception, REAP has delivered more than $2.7 billion in funding for nearly 10,000 projects nationwide, driving renewable energy adoption and fostering economic resilience in rural communities. This latest round of funding shows the program’s impact in empowering Central Illinois to embrace clean energy solutions and strengthen its local economy.