Businesses awarded grants to improve energy efficiency

Two Mat-Su Borough businesses received grants to improve their energy efficiency.

USDA-Rural Development Alaska State Director Jim Nordlund announced Alaska was awarded 15 grants under $20,000 from the USDA Rural Energy for America Program. Two of those totaling nearly $26,000 went to local businesses:

• Dorwin Smith received a $20,000 grant to replace all of the lighting in his commercial properties in Palmer and Wasilla with low-energy usage light-emitting diodes.

• Joseph Hawkins received a $5,803 grant for a solar project to offset power usage at a chiropractic clinic in Palmer.

The grants and loan guarantees provide agricultural producers and rural small businesses help to purchase renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements and perform renewable energy feasibility studies.