U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Indiana State Director Terry Goodin recently announced that the USDA is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program aka REAP to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

Goodin said in a news release the USDA Rural Development Indiana state office will be allocated between $400,000 and $500,000 to award in a competitive process to providers of REAP technical assistance.

“The technical assistance grants announced today provide hands-on support to Hoosier farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like wind and solar, and energy efficiency measures,” Goodin said. “These investments not only help producers and small businesses lower energy costs, but also access new markets and strengthen their operations.”

Eligible recipients for these grants include state, tribal or local governments; colleges and universities; electric cooperatives and utility companies; and for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Recipients may use the funds to:

• Help rural agricultural producers and small business owners apply for REAP 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 plan, build or develop renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.

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

REAP also is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which is advancing environmental justice by ensuring that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments reach disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

Interested applicants to contact USDA Rural Development Indiana state office.

For information, see the July 13 Federal Register. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit rd.usda.gov/in or contact the state office.