The Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to announce acceptance of grant, guaranteed loan, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Donor Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Funding Information
- Renewable Energy System Grants:
- $2,500 minimum.
- $1 million maximum.
- Energy Efficiency Grants:
- $1,500 minimum.
- $500,000 maximum.
Uses of Funds
- Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:
- Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
- Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
- Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
- Hydrogen.
- Small and large wind generation.
- Small and large solar generation.
- Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.
- Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:
- High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
- Insulation.
- Lighting.
- Cooling or refrigeration units.
- Doors and windows.
- Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
- Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
- Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
Who may apply for this program?
- Agricultural producers
- An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
- Small businesses
- Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
- Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
- A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
- An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
- A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
- Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.
- Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
Who may qualify for loan guarantees?
- Eligible borrowers are:
- Rural small businesses.
- Agricultural producers.
What are the borrowing restrictions for loan guarantees?
- Individual borrowers must be citizens of the United States or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence.
- Private-entity borrowers must demonstrate that loan funds will remain in the U.S.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
