COLUMBIA, S.C. — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the department is investing $63.3 million in 26 projects throughout South Carolina to boost rural communities.
Dr. Saundra Glover, South Carolina State Director for the USDA, said the four programs specifically designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses include Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantees, Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, and Value-Added Producer Grants Program.
Here's who got what:
Business and Industry Loan Guarantees. This program offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses
- AMERICAN TOOL & DIE, INC.: $2,560,000 for the purchase of a manufacturing facility located in Swansea, SC. This is an existing business that will continue to support local employment as well as create new employment opportunities.
- BEULAH SOLAR, LLC: $15,200,000 for the purchase and installation of a 101.36 megawatt (mW) solar system. Beulah Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purpose of generating electricity in Batesburg, South Carolina. The system is estimated to produce 179,797,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough electricity to power 16,591 homes
- GEM YIELD, LLC: $6,850,000 to construct an industrial hemp growing operating, including a greenhouse facility, operations building and headhouse on a 20-acre parcel located in an industrial park in Early Branch, South Carolina, to be leased to a tenant. This project will create 30 jobs in the local area.
- GUNSIGHT SOLAR, LLC: $25,000,000 to purchase and install a 105.739 MWdc solar array. Gunsight Solar LLC is a newly created entity for the purposes of generating electricity in Lexington County, S.C. The system is estimated to produce 187,596,501 kWh per year, which is enough electricity to power 17,310 homes. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy-efficiency improvements to its operations.
- WINYAH HOTEL HOLDINGS, LLC: $10,000,000 to build a 56 room independent hotel and restaurant. The project will create 45-jobs in the historical district of Georgetown.
Rural Cooperative Development Grants. This program helps individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers. Grants are awarded through a national competition.
- CLEMSON UNIVERSITY: $135,300 used to provide technical assistance to rural cooperatives and mutually owned businesses through the South Carolina for Cooperative and Enterprise Development.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund, and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.
- BEAUFORT COUNTY BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: $86,217 grant will allow the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce to provide technical assistance to rural microentrepreneurs or microenterprises. These funds and matching funds will be used to offset costs of workshops, meetings and to help potential clients with feasibilities studies, business and marketing plans. It is expected that participation in this program will increase as a result of this technical assistance.
Value-Added Producer Grants. The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.
- BRAVO STEAKS, LLC: $250,000 will be used to help Bravo Steaks Farm to increase processing, selling and marketing of the beef and pork individually packaged cuts. The grant and matching funds will be utilized to offset supplies, labor and marketing costs.
- CHI DESIGN INDIGO LLC: $120,000 will help CHI Design Indigo (Columbia, Edisto Island, Green Pond, and Bluffton) to increase processing, selling and marketing of the indigo dyed textiles. Working capital funds will be used to pay for supplies, labor, marketing and selling of the value added indigo dyed products.
- COMMON JOY, LLC: $150,000 will be used as working capital to add value to luffa gourd and to make luffa sponges. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for luffa sponges processing, supplies, selling and marketing at Common Joy in Charleston.
- COTTON HILLS FARM, LLC: $249,996 will be used to help Cotton Hills Farm LLC, in Chester, increase sales and the processing of fruits, berries and vegetables. Funds will be used to offset the costs of supplies, labor and marketing.
- HAPPY COW CREAMERY, INC: $250,000 will be used to help Happy Cow Creamery, Inc., in Pelzer, increase sales and marketing of pasteurized milk. Funds will offset costs of packaging, labor, utilities and marketing expenses.
- HICKORY BLUFF, LLC: $246,782 will help Hickory Bluff Farm, in Holly Hill, to increase processing and sales of locally produced berries and jams produced from berries. Grant and matching funds will be used to purchase supplies, implement marketing plan and offset the cost of adding more employees needed for non-production related activities. It is anticipated that this project will create four full time jobs and save one part time job.
- HOLLOW CREEK MUSHROOMS LLC (dba CIRCULAR): $250,000 will help Hollow Creek Mushrooms, LLC, in Jackson, to increase processing and sales of locally grown specialty mushrooms. Grant and matching funds will be used to purchase packaging, implement marketing strategies and hire additional employees. It is expected that this project will create four full time jobs.
- HOSS FARMS HODGE, LLC: $49,976 will be used to help Hoss Farms Hodge, in Mullins, increase profitability by growing their capacity. Funds will be used to offset the cost of labor, supplies, and to implement a marketing plan.
- KINDLEWOOD FARMS, LLC: $49,997 will be used to help Kindlewood Farms, in Walterboro, to increase processing and marketing of the value added products. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for seasonal vegetables processing, supplies, selling, and marketing.
- WALTER MACK (dba MARSHVIEW FARM): $48,560 will help Marshview Community Organic Farm, in St. Helena Island, increase processing and sales of its packaged goat meat. Funds will be used to purchase supplies, hire additional staff and cover processing costs.
- MARVIN'S PRODUCE, LLC: $250,000 will be used to Marvin's Produce Company, in Simpsonville, increase processing and sales of packaged apple slices. Funds will be used to lease selected equipment needed to slice and package apples as well as to hire staff needed to carry out processing, marketing and sales.
- OSCAR CHAVEZ (dba MICROLEDON FARM): $82,203 will help Microledon Farm, in Conway, to increase processing and sales of locally grown microgreens. Grant funds and matching funds will be used to purchase supplies, implement marketing plan and to offset the costs of hiring employees needed for nonproduction related activities. It is expected that this project will create one full time job and one part time job.
- SEASIDE GROWN, LLC: $250,000 will help Seaside Grown, LLC, St. Helena Island, to increase sales and marketing of the Bloody Mary Mix made from processed tomatoes. Working capital grant funds will be used to purchase supplies, pay for labor expenses associated with processing of the value-added product, and to cover costs of marketing.
- SETZLER HOLDINGS, LLC: $250,000 will help Setzler Holdings Farm, in Newberry, to increase processing, packaging, selling and marketing of its beef products. Rural Development funds and matching funds will be used to offset costs of processing, supplies, labor, and marketing of the valueadded products.
- SPADE AND CLOVER GARDENS, LLC: $49,900 will help to expand customer base and sales and marketing of Spade and Clover Gardens, LLC's organic produce from Johns Island. Funds will be used to offset costs of marketing and operational expenses. Borrower goes by the name of John Warren dba Spade and Clover Gardens.
- SPEAR T CATTLE, LLC: $249,564 will be used to expand processing and marketing operations for Spear T Cattle LLC, in Marion. Funds will be used to expand beef customer base and offset the costs of hiring additional labor and shipping supplies.
- TOMS CREEK FAMILY FARM, LLC: $250,000 will be used to help Toms Creek Family Farm LLC, in Hopkins, increase processing and sales of local produce. Funds will be used to offset the costs of purchasing supplies needed to increase sales, hire additional staff and implement marketing plan.
- WATSON WEATHERS JR. (dba R&W FARMS): $230,271 will be used to expand processing and sales of locally grown green peanuts in Bowman. Funds will be used to for packaging, supplies and to offset costs of labor and distribution.
- YON FAMILY FARMS, INC: $249,650 will be used to help to reach a new level of sustainability for the farm as they increase the marketing efforts and sales of their beef products in Saluda County. In addition, grant funds and matching funds will be used to offset cash flow expenses such as processing, packaging, and marketing at the farm in Ridge Spring.
