MAYO, Fla., April 14, 2011 –Agricultural producers and rural small business owners are being encouraged to apply for guaranteed loans and grants through USDA to help them implement renewable energy systems and become more energy efficient.
“USDA is providing funding for guaranteed loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP),” Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager said. “This assistance will help rural small businesses and agricultural producers throughout Florida implement energy-saving measures that will create jobs, protect the environment and help the nation become more energy independent.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Richard Machek will meet with business and agricultural leaders in Mayo today to discuss the types of projects for which funding is available. Florida USDA officials will meet with similar audiences in Live Oak later today. The agency published a notice in today’s Federal Register, http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-8456.pdf, inviting interested parties to apply for funds before the June 15 and June 30 deadlines.
Machek also outlined REAP program enhancements that make agricultural producers in non-rural areas eligible for some types of energy assistance and that authorize grants for energy improvement audits and studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems.
A nursery producer in Altha, Fla., that received a USDA Rural Development REAP grant in 2010 has already seen significant reductions in the amount of energy used to heat greenhouses and heat and cool its offices. The grant helped finance the installation of a boiler and new HVAC system. The installation was completed in December.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $149 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/fl for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.