Harris Announces More Than $270,000 in Renewable Energy Awards to Eastern Shore Small Businesses and Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced more than $270,000 in awards through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development. The grants will be administered through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The following businesses and farmers received awards on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for the installation of solar arrays and improvements in energy efficiency: $118,000 for the Samuel Parker family farm in Wicomico County, $46,225 for R&R Aquafarms, LLC in Caroline County, $44,541 for Teddy Bear Fresh Produce, LLC in Talbot County, and $61,250 for the Flintrock Corporation in Queen Anne’s County.

The projects will save enough electricity to power 84 homes. According to the USDA, “REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems such as anaerobic digesters, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar. It also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration.”

Congressman Harris made the following statement:

“Energy conservation is important to the health of the environment and our economy. As a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, I applaud the investment of these federal funds on the Eastern Shore. I will continue working to ensure that our small towns and rural communities receive help to grow and thrive with modern technologies. These awards will save energy, reduce electricity bills, and help make the Eastern Shore more economically competitive.”