Energy-Related Grants Available for Rural Small Businesses, Agricultural Producers

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
July 17, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America program to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

Eligible recipients for these grants include state, Tribal or local governments; public power utilities; colleges and universities; and for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Recipients may use the funds to:

• Help rural agricultural producers and small business owners apply for Rural Energy for America funding.
• Provide information on how business owners and agricultural producers can improve the energy efficiency of their operations and use renewable energy technologies and resources.
• Conduct required energy assessments and audits.
• Help agricultural producers and small business owners with planning construction and development of renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.

Projects eligible for funding can be located in eligible rural areas in the 50 states, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.

USDA will give funding priority to applicants proposing to assist disadvantaged communities, applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies and applicants seeking grants under $20,000.

The Department also encourages interested applicants to contact their USDA Rural Development state office.

For additional information, see page 45128 of the July 14 Federal Register.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.