5 enterprises to get energy saving funds

Five entities in Arkansas will receive grants totaling nearly $535,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help them save on energy costs, the department announced Tuesday.

Riceland Seed Co. in Hickory Ridge (Cross County) will receive $258,955 to buy and install a solar renewable energy system. De Queen Medical Center will receive $146,576 for energy efficiency improvements to its boiler and chiller.

Eagle Lake Farms Partnership in Newport will receive $49,829 to improve its grain dryer. Duvall Enterprises Inc., a pharmacy in Dardanelle, will receive $40,349 to convert to light emitting diode lights and improve heating and air systems as it converts a former dollar store building into its offices and drugstore.

E&M Oil Co. in El Dorado will receive $39,291 for energy efficiency improvements to its lighting.

Nationally, this round of grants totals $237 million to benefit 423 small businesses. The grants are through the Rural Energy for America Program.