Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) has announced U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants worth a total of $657,298 for businesses in Maine’s First Congressional District, including one for a Woolwich business. The rural development funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congressional Democrats and signed by President Biden.

As announced, $13,783 will go to Boca Builders LLC of Woolwich to install a 13.8-kilowatt roof mount solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This project is expected to save $2,216 per year and generate 15,994 kilowatt hours per year.

“The Inflation Reduction Act represents the single largest investment in rural electrification since passage of the Rural Electrification Act in 1936 and is making enormous strides to incentivize rural and farming communities in their transition to clean energy,” said Pingree, a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. “Thanks to this landmark legislation, the Rural Energy for America Program is helping well-deserving businesses in Maine and across the country reduce their carbon footprints and cut their utility costs at the same time. The REAP grants in my district will go a long way in helping rural businesses be part of the climate solution.”