Jake Wills, assistant engineer with La Plata Electric Association, is seen at the Sunnyside Community Solar Garden. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jake Wills, assistant engineer with La Plata Electric Association, is seen at the Sunnyside Community Solar Garden. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca

Six Durango businesses have received over $1.1 million in federal grant funding for clean energy projects such as solar array installations in rural Colorado.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that 11 Colorado businesses in Durango, Palisade, Cope, Pueblo West and Center have been awarded a total of $2,964,306 through the Rural Energy for America Program.

USDA Rural Development promotes economic development with loans and grants. Crestina Martinez, Colorado director, said in a news release the REAP grant awards “underscore the dedication and forward-thinking of rural Colorado in advancing renewable energy within their communities” and “exemplify our commitment to fostering a sustainable future and driving economic growth.”

The Durango businesses awarded funding include Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad; Tailwind Nutrition; James T. Duke Inc. doing business as Target Rental; Goff Engineering & Surveying Inc.; Durango Machining Innovations; and Adelie LLC.

Altogether, they received $1,186,686 from the federal government.

The USDA emphasized cost savings each business will enjoy thanks to the solar energy projects.

D&SNG, which was awarded $726,954 for a 520.98 kilowatt photovoltaic solar spread on its roundhouse building and diesel maintenance shop, is projected to save $56,321 annually “and generate 730,165 kilowatt hours (kWh) or 106 percent of their historical energy use per year, which is enough energy to power 67.3 homes,” according to the agriculture department.

Grant awards, expected cost savings and renewable energy generation for the remaining Durango businesses are:

$95,760 to Tailwind Nutrition for a 54.72 kilowatt solar array on its commercial building, which will replace nearly all of its annual energy use and save about $7,300 per year.$33,265 for Target Rental for a 19.2 kilowatt solar array on its commercial building, with $704 saved in energy costs per year and an expected production of 126% of its annual energy use.Goff Engineering & Surveying Inc. received $44,595 to install a 27.2 kilowatt solar array on its commercial building, with expected cost savings of $858 per year and production of 116% of the energy it uses in a year.$266,112 to Durango Machine Innovations, LLC for a 161.28 kilowatt solar array at its commercial production facility that is expected to generate 286,895 kilowatt hours, or 85% of its annual energy use.And $20,000 awarded to Adelie LLC for a 13.2 kilowatt solar array at its building, expected to save $1,780.89 in energy costs annually. It will produce about 17,509 kilowatt hours, 142% of its annual energy use.

According to the USDA, applications for REAP funding will remain open through Sept. 30.

In an email to The Durango Herald, Martinez said USDA Rural Development has ramped up marketing efforts this year with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, which serve as technical assistance grant providers for the federal agriculture department.

They offer hands-on support to farmers, ranchers and small rural business owners seeking federal funding for renewable energy projects, including solar and energy, she said.

She said REAP has awarded nearly $33.5 million since 2021. Applications in the most recent application round, which closed on Sunday, are now under review.

REAP begun under the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda, she said.

“REAP investments create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities through clean energy projects that also lower costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families,” she added.

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