Could your small business or agriculture business qualify for Uncle Sam to pay up to half of a huge energy upgrade? The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is extending for the next three fiscal years, trying to spread $600 million throughout rural America for projects like clean solar energy and energy efficiency. These projects can include grants as high as a million dollars per eligible project.

The purpose, as stated in the announcement, is to support these priorities:

  • Creating more and better markets
  • Addressing climate change and environmental justice
  • Advancing racial justice, place-based equity and opportunity

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced the updates in mid-October to the U. S. Department of Agriculture REAP grants and loans. While the program had been accepting applications year-around, the application cycle has changed slightly to three application times per year, with a short period when applications will not be received.

The next application deadline is now December 31, 2024, with the following application deadline on March 31, 2025, then a period until July when the program will not accept applications.

REAP has traditionally benefited farm businesses and other small businesses in rural areas. This latest notice says applicants can be a federally recognized tribe or entity owned by a tribe. It also states, “Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization…”  However, Tennessee’s office administering the program clarifies this still means the faith-based organization must be operating as a small business or agricultural producer.

You can read details of this update in the Federal Register for October 16. You can also contact your regional USDA Rural Development office for details on eligibility requirements and the application/award process.

Anne Brock is marketing coordinator for Solar Alliance, which designs and manages solar installation projects for manufacturers and related grant work for small businesses and nonprofits. She can be reached at email or 865-221-8349.