USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees for farmers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements or conduct feasibility studies.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
The grants will be administered through the agency’s Rural Energy for America program.
The maximum grant for renewable energy systems is 25% of eligible project costs and no more than $500,000. Energy efficiency improvement projects are eligible for as much as 25% of eligible project costs and no more than $250,000.
For both renewable energy and energy efficiency grants, applicants must be a farmer earning 51% or more of gross income from agricultural production or a small business, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Projects must be located in rural areas.
The maximum loan guarantee is 75% of eligible project costs and no more than $25 million. Combination loan guarantees and grants also are available, and feasibility studies also qualify for grants under the program.
The deadline for applications is July 31. Applications may be obtained by contacting USDA Rural Development, Business & Community Programs, at 573-876-0995.
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 energy projects or any of the rural development programs is available by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo.