The US Agriculture Department announced funding for 821 projects across the nation aimed at helping rural small businesses and agricultural producers reduce energy costs and usage.
Fifteen South Dakota-based businesses received a total of $156,999 as part of the announcement.
Rural Energy Coordinator at the USDA Rural Development Office in Yankton, Jolene Pravacek

Pravacek says the money businesses save with REAP allow the companies to invest in other areas of the business

Grocery stores in Vermillion, Geddes and Brookings are among the businesses getting the grants.
Pravacek says so far, the overall savings for this project is about 35%.