Rural East TN Businesses Install Solar Energy Systems with Support from USDA Grants, Sustainable Future
Lenoir City, TN, October 01, 2009 --(
PR.com)-- USDA awarded three East Tennessee businesses with its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants today at Wampler’s Farm Sausage Company. Wampler’s, Apalachee Nursery and Home Town Medical Clinic received grants totaling over $76,000 to deploy solar energy projects with support from a turnkey solar solutions company, Sustainable Future.
In announcing the REAP grants, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “while the REAP grants will continue to provide an important jump start to a clean, renewable energy future, Congress must act to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation to create the green jobs our economy needs and get our nation on the path to being truly energy independent.”
Sustainable Future is an East Tennessee business that provides turnkey solutions for commercial solar energy systems from grant applications to final installation. The company assisted the three grant recipients above secure funding from the USDA.
“Sustainable future is proud to play a role in helping rural businesses increase their competitive edge and become more energy independent,” said Harvey Abouelata, Director of Sales and Marketing for Sustainable Future.
Bobby Goode, State Director for USDA Rural Development presented the businesses with their grants today at a press conference on the front lawn of Wampler’s Farm Sausage Company in Lenoir City.
"Sustainable Future is a great partner for USDA's renewable energy program," said USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode. "They've helped get these projects off the drawing board at Wampler's Farm Sausage, Hometown Medical and Apalachee Nursurey. Together they prove it doesn't matter the size of the company or location, renewable energy lowers the cost of doing business, and that's good for jobs in rural communities."
Sustainable Future helped Wampler’s secure a grant for $46,875 from the USDA to deploy a 23 kW solar energy project.
“As an agricultural company, we understand how important it is to take better care of our environment,” said Ted Wampler, Jr. “It is exciting to think that we can combine the very latest clean and green technology with time honored methods for producing the best sausage possible.”
Wampler stressed the importance of the partnership between his business and the USDA. With Sustainable Future’s guidance in navigating the grant process, the USDA grants allowed Wampler to accelerate their five year Green Initiative Plan to less than a year.
Dr. Hasmukh Kanabar, owner of Home Town Medical Clinic in Madisonville, received an $18,105 grant from the USDA to install solar panels at his family practice. He will be the first business to install solar panels in Monroe County.
“Solar panels are a good means of providing energy and hopefully, I can start a trend for other businesses to follow,” said Dr. Kanabar. Kanabar recognized the USDA and Sustainable Future played a key role making his dreams for installing alternative forms of energy at his practice a reality.
Keith Kilpatrick, owner of Apalachee Nursery in Turtletown, received $11,327 from the USDA to install solar panels at his nursery.
“Farmer’s by nature are conservationist, so it’s a natural progression for us to use the sun not only to grow crops, but for energy,” said Kilpatrick. He too stressed the importance of partnering with the USDA and the REAP grant program in making his businesses solar energy project a reality.
These solar photovoltaic systems will reduce the companies’ dependence on electricity provided by the utility grid, decrease its carbon footprint and provide a real-world application for clean energy technology to agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
“What will sustain this for the long term is a national commitment to comprehensive energy and climate policies,” concluded Abouelata.
Sustainable Future’s focus is on commercial and residential solar systems. They help secure energy grant money for commercial clients and install the final system. They are certified HERS Raters, NABCEP certified solar installers and have a LEED accredited Architect for solar installation design.
For more information on Sustainable Future visit: http://www.sustainablefuture.biz/
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