Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development state director, announced today that eight recipients across North Dakota have been selected to receive $147,000 in grants to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. The funding is provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
“These projects will help businesses lower operating costs and reduce energy consumption to preserve our natural resources,” Schneider said. “The investments will increase profitability and create new opportunities for economic growth in our rural communities.”
Under the terms of REAP, up to 25 percent of an eligible energy production or conservation project can be funded through a grant. Today’s announcement includes geothermal systems as well as several projects that will replace old, inefficient grain dryers, which will deliver energy and cost savings while preserving higher yields.
REAP, authorized through the 2008 Farm Bill, provides loans and grants for farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners to purchase and install renewable energy systems, make energy-efficiency improvements, conduct feasibility studies and energy audits. These federal dollars are leveraged with other funding sources for the projects. For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nd.