BISMARCK, N.D., July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Erin Oban announced today that USDA Rural Development is awarding a grant to the Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation to assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers with expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program (REAP TAG). The award is part of a national USDA announcement investing $163 million in guaranteed loans, grants and technical assistance to support 338 clean energy projects in 39 States and Guam.
"The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided USDA Rural Development with additional funding for REAP and the REAP Technical Assistance Grant, continues to create positive impacts in North Dakota,” said Oban. “These programs are in high demand throughout our state, and we appreciate the assistance Lake Agassiz RDC will deliver to North Dakota ag producers and rural businesses to improve their operations, lower costs, and keep more money in their pockets and communities.” (Audio:MP3, 708Kb, 0:29)
Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $2.2 billion through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in 7,566 renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. These projects help rural small businesses and farmers save money by lowering energy bills by an average of $25,000 a year, generate new renewable energy income, and strengthen their resiliency of operations. The energy generated and saved from these projects would provide enough electricity to power more than 630,000 homes over the course of a year.
REAP TAG enables applicants to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying to the Rural Energy for America Program.
The Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation will use a $250,000 grant to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Lake Agassiz RDC’s goal is to increase awareness, the quantity and quality of REAP applications throughout the state. This grant will be used to assist with generating a minimum of 26 REAP applications during the three-year grant term.
USDA continues to accept REAP applications and has set aside a portion of the program funds to support underutilized renewable energy technologies, like wind and geothermal power. For additional information, contact the North Dakota local energy coordinator.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. The program supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.