A new round of grant funding will see rural Kentucky businesses across central and eastern Kentucky be more energy efficient and help boost domestic fertilizer production.
That includes $$800,999 going towards Bandana Ag Incorporated in Ballard County through the USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program. The money will help expand its dry fertilizer facility, which would be distributed to more than 150 local producers.
Tom Carew is the USDA’s Director of Rural Development for Kentucky. He says the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is meant to grow a shrinking number of producers across America and curb a monopoly from larger companies.
“The philosophy, generally speaking, behind all of that is the more people producing, the better it is for the markets, for the farmers, because competition creates sharper prices,” Carew said.
Another round of Rural Energy for America grants totalling $1.1 million is also going to help small businesses install their own solar arrays and upgrade their heating, air conditioning and ventilation.
Click here to read more weku.org
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Kentucky, Energy