Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $3 Million to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure and Lower Energy Costs in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Tennessee State Director Arlisa Armstrong today announced that President Biden will lead his Administration’s Investing in Rural America Event Series and highlight investments from the Biden Administration in Rural America.

State Director Armstrong is pleased to announce that more than $3 million in investments will be used to lower energy costs and strengthen rural infrastructure in our rural Tennessee communities.

“We are grateful for the Biden-Harris Administration understanding the importance of investing in America and making great strides right here in rural Tennessee,” Armstrong said. “We are excited to be partnering with seven rural business owners and farmers, as well as the Town of Dover. Today’s investments will help these business owners and farmers lower their energy costs while also providing safe and reliable water to the residents of Dover. These investments highlight our agency’s commitment to a stronger rural Tennessee.” 

$764,160 to Expand Access to Renewable Energy and Lower Energy Costs:

• Twelve Corners Nursery LLC will use a $31,754 REAP grant to install a 13-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar system at Twelve Corners Nursery LLC, a locally owned horticulture nursery in Gallatin, Tennessee. The project annually will save the business $1,431 and generate 16,601 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power one home.
• Gonzo Enterprise will use a $76,608 REAP grant to install a 54.72-kilowatt (kW) renewable-energy solar photovoltaic system at Gonzo Enterprise, a real estate management company in Bradley County, Tennessee. The project annually will save the business $9,383 and generate 85,299 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power seven homes.
• Kingdom Theatres LLC will use a $29,869 REAP grant to install a 23-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar system at Kingdom Theatres LLC, a locally owned movie theatre in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The project annually will save the business $14,084 and generate 31,431 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power two homes.
• S&C Foods LLC will use a $327,074 REAP grant to replace refrigeration and compressor equipment at S & C Foods II LLC, owner of a Cash Saver grocery store in Ashland City, Tennessee. The project annually will save the business $42,314 and save 464,905 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, enough energy to power 38 homes.
• Memdent Properties Partnership will use a $190,603 REAP grant to install a 178.4-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar system at Memdent Properties Partnership, owner of a new medical facility in Arlington, Tennessee. The project annually will save the business $21,178 and generate 235,318 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, enough energy to power 22 homes.
• John McConnell, a row crop farmer in Obion, Tennessee, will use a $108,252 REAP grant to install a more energy-efficient grain drying system. The project annually will save the business $11,299 and save 194,475 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power 16 homes.

$2.5 Million in Investments in Rural Tennessee Infrastructure:

• Town of Dover will use a $2,566,000 Water & Waste Disposal loan and grant to replace the ultraviolet disinfection system for the wastewater treatment plant and to repair structural damage to the town hall of Dover. The wastewater treatment plant and town hall repairs will improve the health and quality of life for the approximately 1,300 customers served by the town of Dover.

Background: Investing in America

Today’s investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up by rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, driving more than $500 billion in private sector manufacturing investments, creating good-paying jobs and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make communities more resilient.

The Investing in America agenda is using funding provided through bipartisan legislation to rebuild roads and bridges, replace lead pipes to provide clean water, expand access to high-speed internet, address legacy pollution and more. The Biden-Harris Administration has announced more than $220 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and more than 32,000 infrastructure projects and awards across 4,500 communities; started more than 4,600 bridge repair and replacement projects; and awarded funds for more than 3,000 new clean transit buses.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

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