“I applaud these small business owners in southern New Mexico for their commitment to energy efficiency and their continued efforts to build the local economies in our rural communities,”  said Congressman Harry Teague.  “These renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades will help these business owners reduce their utility bills and those dollars saved will help them to grow their business.”

V & S Variety Store (Santa Rosa Lumber) was awarded $2,980 to help replace two aging coolers with new, more energy efficient ones.  Lalo’s Liquors was awarded $38,569 to help provide funding to build a wind turbine that will provide power to the store.   Through the REAP Program USDA Rural Development provides up to twenty-five percent of the cost of each project in grant funds. 

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure.

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