Rural electrification grant freeze leaves local farmer in limbo

REGIONAL: Billions of dollars frozen for rural Colorado electric co-ops; GCEA customers may face rate increases

Federal funding freezes are impacting Gunnison County residents in more ways than one and may show up in the form of higher electricity bills.

Local nonprofit concerned about frozen 'rural energy' funds

"Promises of funding made to hardworking farmers and rural small business owners have been broken, leaving them in a devastating position."

Montana forest products industry faces uncertainty amid federal funding freeze

The federal funding freeze has been impacting services, programs, and industries across the country. That's the same case in Montana, where the forest products industry and forest managers are trying to understand what the federal funding freeze means for them.Watch the full story: Forest products industry faces uncertainty amid federal funding freezeTheres an impact on landowners who are the direct recipients of these funds and the contractors …

Rural electric cooperatives deserve liability protection

In New Mexico, we know the value of rural electric cooperatives. They aren’t just companies that provide electricity — they are member-owned lifelines that power our homes, schools and businesses. They are the first responders in storms, the sponsors of…

Rural electrification grant freeze leaves local farmer in limbo

Local farmer John Rueb of Forever Yong Farm in Amado, Ariz. is facing financial uncertainty after the federal government froze grants for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).The program, which helps farmers and rural businesses invest in renewable energy, was a crucial part of Ruebs plan to install a solar power system that would provide the farm with completely renewable energy.Im always interested in being energy efficient on our farm,…

Small food businesses that won Business Builder awards from USDA face uncertainty due to funding freeze

BRANDON, S.D. and MEDINA, N.D. — Five years ago, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, things like the temporary shutdown of meat packing plants or food processors due to employee illness, changes in transportation and a shift toward more eating at home revealed some limitations to the food chain and some opportunities for enhancing regional food systems. During the pandemic, eggs were scarce in the grocery store. That’s when Stephanie…