Tester Secures More than $100,000 to Help Local Businesses Become Energy Efficient

Projects Will Save Businesses Thousands of Dollars a Year

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester has secured more than $100,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding to help local breweries, ranches, and manufacturers become more energy efficient-saving both energy and money.

“These projects will benefit local economies by helping Montana businesses become more energy and cost-efficient,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Making these investments today will generate huge returns for farmers, ranchers and small businesses tomorrow.”

Eight local businesses-from Darby to Miles City-received Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help fund the purchase and installation of new solar arrays to power various aspects of their operations.

Tester was the only member of Montana’s delegation who supported the bipartisan agreement that provided funding for these grants.

• Timeless Seeds, Inc. (Ulm, MT) – $4,752.00
For the purchase and installation of new LED lighting that will help the organic wholesaler save $2,279 a year.

• Helm Hereford Ranch (Miles City, MT) – $11,927.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system that will help the family-operated ag producer save $2,900 a year.

• Double K Ranch (Darby, MT) – $10,172.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar system to power the family-run cattle ranch’s butcher shop, saving $1,800 a year.

• IC Optix, LLC. (Polbridge, MT) – $13,099.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system to power the company’s health care products manufacturing facility.

• Ace Electric (Laurel, MT) – $25,506.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system that will help the locally-operated electrical contractor save $6,937 a year.

• Little Leuven Brewing Company (Bozeman, MT) – $11,487.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system that will help the locally-owned and operated brewery save $3,355 a year.

• Montana Ale Works (Bozeman, MT) – $16,638.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system to power the brewery’s restaurant, saving the locally-owned and operated company $4,440 a year.

• BBC Production, Inc. (Bozeman, MT) – $16,612.00
For the purchase and installation of a solar array system to power the company’s Three Forks-based beer production facility.

Tester has championed these kinds of investments in rural America, securing $550 million for the USDA Rural Development program last year. He recently secured another $2 million in REAP funding to develop renewable energy systems in Yellowstone County and worked to pass a Farm Bill through the Senate that reauthorizes this critical grant program.