U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA Invests in Renewable Energy Infrastructure Projects Throughout Rural Montana

Name
Sue Kerver
City
Bozeman
Release Date

BOZEMAN, Mont., Sept. 9, 2021 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Montana Acting State Director Jake Ceartin today announced that the USDA is investing $139 thousand to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure to help agricultural producers and rural businesses lower energy costs and reduce their energy loads. In rural Montana, these climate-smart investments will conserve and generate more than 274 thousand kilowatt-hours (kWh), which equates to enough electricity to power more than 20 homes annually. 

USDA is financing the projects through the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides funding to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The investments will help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution that affects our climate.

"Taking control of variable expenses, including energy costs, has never been more important for Montana's rural businesses, agricultural producers and tourism-based players," said Ceartin.  "Though energy efficiency improvement REAP grants, and renewable energy system REAP grants, USDA RD Montana is proud to have helped 14 businesses find the funding they needed to reduce their energy loads."

For example:  

  • At the edge of Glacier National Park, Glacier Guides, a recreation-based business which provides ecologically sensitive outdoor adventures to the public, will use a $11,363 grant to help install a 31.94 kW rooftop solar array, replacing almost 15,000 kW of energy and providing the business with an annual savings of over $1,000.     
  • In Gallatin County, Alpacas of Montana, an alpaca textile company offering alpaca products which includes compost, socks, hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets and mittens, will utilize their $14,264 grant to purchase and install a 25,925 kW solar array system, which is expected to realize nearly $4,000 in annual energy savings and will generate over 31,000 kW of electricity per year. This is enough to power three homes.
  • And, in Geyser, Mont., an unincorporated community about 45 miles southeast of Great Falls, Greg Rugland, the sole proprietor of a family-owned cow and calf operation, will use a $9,276 grant to purchase and install a 10 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system that will be ground-mounted on his ranch. This project is expected to realize about $300 in annual energy savings and will save just over 2,000 kW of electricity per year.

"These 14 REAP grants were part of the restricted competition which provides for applications that are less than $20,000, Ceartin added.  "However, in fiscal year 2021, USDA RD Montana also funded an additional 11 applications through the unrestricted REAP program and awarded an additional $328,976 in grant monies.  With a total of 25 restricted and unrestricted REAP grants awarded last year, and almost half-a-million dollars in total funding, we are proud to help rural Montanans implement energy efficient solutions."

REAP applications for loan guarantees, through a local commercial lender, are accepted year-round.  However, the deadline to apply for restricted grants of $20,000 or less, or a loan and grant combination for $20,000 or less, is Oct. 31, 2021.  Applications for unrestricted grants, or unrestricted loan and grant combinations, are due by March 31, 2022 and REAP technical assistance grant applications are due by Jan. 31, 2022. 

To learn more about business investment resources for Montana’s rural areas, including REAP loans and grants, interested parties should contact the Business and Cooperative Programs Director, Lad Barney, at (406) 309-3350 or lad.barney@usda.gov.

To learn more, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

 

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.