A story on WXOW, La Crosse:

Five area businesses are splitting more than $65,000 for renewable energy grants.

The money will help them install renewable energy systems or flex fuel pumps, and make energy efficiency improvements. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program.

USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer says the funding helps reduce America’s dependence of foreign energy and boosts the rural economy.

Here are the local recipients:

-Robert Lambert, Fountain City, $9,075 for energy efficiency

-Harriet Behar, Gays Mills, $15,121 for solar

-JDI Enterprises, Inc., Hillsboro, $3,019 for solar

-Golden Acres Grain Farms, LLC, West Salem, $17,315 for energy efficiency

-Corr Investments, LLC, Viroqua, $19,099 for solar