Two Wisconsin entities have obtained a total of more than $375,000 in rural development grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund water loans and a company-owned solar array.

Oconto-based Newcap, Inc. obtained the majority of the funds, $323,263, from the USDA’s Household Water and Well System grant to establish a revolving loan program for homeowners in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, and Vilas counties, including six Tribal nations.

Also known as Northeast Wisconsin Community Action Program, Newcap is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1965.

Black’s Valley Ag Supply, Inc., located in Pepin County, received $51,855 through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program grant that will finance the installation of a solar electric array at their facility, which is expected to generate $7,800 in savings for the business per year.

“These projects are just a few of many examples of how the Rural Partners Network has helped strengthen community ties so underserved rural communities and families in Wisconsin can access the resources they need now and into the future,” USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced Wednesday. “These projects will help keep rural and Tribal communities in Wisconsin thriving for generations to come.”

The grants come after the USDA already allocated $27 million in June, $93 million in October, and $24 million in November to businesses across Wisconsin for renewable energy and related projects.

Having invested more than $3 billion and having received more than $6 billion from the federal government for solar projects across the state, Wisconsin currently has 2,610 megawatts of solar installed, providing just 4.61% of the state’s electricity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

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