(December 13, 2011 Albuquerque, NM) During a special presentation of KRWG-TV's ‘News Makers' television show earlier today, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner presented two certificates of obligation to New Mexico State University (NMSU).
 
The first presentation was made to NMSU's Institute for Energy & Environment in the amount of $100,000 for a Rural Energy for America Program-Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant. The second award was a Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program made to KRWG-TV which is owned and operated by NMSU in the amount of $206,000.
 
As he made the presentations Brunner said, “When businesses are in a tough economy and have concerns about their bottom lines, one of the best place to save is in energy costs.” Brunner added, “NMSU will use our funding to create model energy audits for dairy farms and green chile producers. It's our hope that this information will be useful to those businesses as they consider how to save on energy costs. For example, once the energy audit is completed it'll be made available to other ag producers which will help them become more energy efficient and more profitable.” Brunner added, “Our Public Television grant being awarded to KRWG-TV will insure this TV station will continue its high level of programming to the thousands of viewers throughout southern New Mexico.”
 
The energy assessment that will be conducted by NMSU will create two energy audits, one for a dairy farm and one for a chili producer. After the energy audits are completed they will be used as a set of best practices which will then be provided to other New Mexico agricultural producers to develop energy efficiency plans for their farming operations.
 
The grant being made to KRWG-TV will be used to allow the TV station to purchase and upgrade equipment to continue a high quality broadcast signal to the viewer. Administered through USDA's Rural Utilities Service, the Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program was created to help public broadcasting facilities expand and modernize infrastructure and technology.
 
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at any local USDA Rural development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov