Resource: FY 2012 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants

Title:	FY 2012 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants
Resource type:	Grant/loan
Topics:	Agriculture, Business, Energy
Keywords:	grant, grants, loan, energy, agriculture, rural
Audience:	All
Region:	Minnesota Statewide, Outside Minnesota
Summary:	Financial assistance is available for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy projects.
Content:	The following text is modified from the web site below. USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy projects. Offering both loan guarantees and grants, the REAP program helps eligible applicants install renewable energy systems such as solar panels or anaerobic digesters, make energy efficiency improvements such as installing irrigation pumps or replacing ventilation systems, and conduct energy audits and feasibility studies. The REAP program is comprised of the following components: The Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems; make energy efficiency improvements; use renewable technologies that reduce energy consumption; and participate in energy audits, renewable energy development assistance, and feasibility studies. The Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant Program provides grant assistance to entities that will assist agriculture producers and small rural businesses by conducting energy audits and providing information on renewable energy development assistance. The Feasibility Studies Grant Program assists financially applicants that need to complete a feasibility study, which are required in applications for many of USDA's and other government agencies' energy programs. According to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=140654&mode=VIEW , in order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2012 funds, complete applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. local time of the dates as follows: For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications: March 30, 2012. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications: On a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012. For renewable energy system feasibility study applications: March 30, 2012. For energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications: February 21, 2012. Minnesota's USDA Rural Development's office can be accessed at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/MNHome.html
Website:	http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Reap.html
Suggested by:	Paul Moss
Added:	02/8/12