What does this program do?
This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA).
Who may apply for this program?
- State and local governments.
- Federally-recognized tribes.
- A land-grant college or university or other institutions of higher education.
- Rural electric cooperatives.
- Public power entities.
- An instrumentality of a state, tribal or local government.
- A Resource Conservation & Development Council (as defined in 16 USC §3451).
How may funds be used?
The assistance must be provided to agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Rural small businesses must be located in eligible rural areas. This restriction does not apply to agricultural producers. Assistance provided must consist of:
- Energy audits.
- Renewable energy technical assistance.
- Renewable energy site assessments.
Eligible project costs may include:
- Salaries directly related to the project.
- Travel expenses directly related to conducting energy audits or renewable energy development assistance.
- Office supplies.
- Administrative expenses, up to a maximum of 5 percent of the grant, which include but are not limited to utilities, office space, operation expenses of office and other project-related equipment.
Funds may NOT be used for:
- Payment for construction-related activities.
- Purchase or lease of equipment.
- Payment of judgments or debt owed the government.
- Goods or services provided by a person or entity who has a conflict of interest.
- Costs incurred by preparing an application package.
- Funding political or lobbying activities.
What are the grant terms?
Applicants must submit separate applications, limited to one energy audit and one Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA) per fiscal year. The maximum aggregate amount of an energy audit and REDA grant in a Federal fiscal year is $100,000.
How do we get started?
- Applications for this program are accepted year-round at your local office.
- Program Resources are available online (includes forms needed, guidance, certifications, etc.) Please refer to the Forms & Resources tab.
Who can answer questions?
- Contact your State Rural Development Energy Coordinator.
What law governs this program?
- Basic Program – Code of Federal Regulation, 7 CFR 4280, Subpart B.
- This program is authorized by Title IX of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, (2018 Farm Bill)
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
This program strengthens American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers.
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change, please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled “What law governs this program?” You may also contact your local office for assistance.
Resources
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please refer to the application materials listed below to start the process of applying for a loan and/or grant. Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the State Office contact information for this program and speak to a Rural Development Energy Coordinator before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in completing your application.
To complete an application for this program, you must be pre-registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and also have a Unique Entity ID number if your organization doesn’t already have one. It should not take more than a few business days to get your number.
Neither of these applications cost money, but they can take time so be sure to get this taken care of right away. If you are already registered with these systems, you do not need to do it again.
Instructions
Forms
- Application for Federal Assistance - Form SF-424 (pdf)
- Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs - Form 424-A (pdf)
Other Resources
There are no additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements related to the environmental review, the state will advise.
Most loans and grants are originated and/or serviced in the Area Office. Please contact the Area Office that services your County or Town. See our: Florida County Map. Please contact the USVI St. Croix Office for all of the USVI.
CRESTVIEW AREA OFFICE
Jeffrey Archer, Area Director
3070 Adora Teal Way, Suite C, Crestview, FL 32539
Work phone: 850-682-2416
Business cell: 850-333-2031
Fax: 855-473-8755
Counties served: Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
MARIANNA AREA OFFICE
Loria Phillips, Area Director
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 5, Marianna, FL 32448
Work phone: 850-526-2610
Business cell: 850-317-6572
Fax: 855-474-6969
Counties served: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington.
LAKE CITY AREA OFFICE
Bruni Robles, Area Director
971 W Duval St, Suite 190, Lake City, FL 32055
Work phone: 386-719-5590
Business cell: 386-365-9576
Fax: 855-474-6983
Counties served: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, St. Johns, Taylor and Union.
OCALA AREA OFFICE
Stephanie Hodges, Area Director
2441 NE 3rd Street, Suite 204-1, Ocala, FL 34470
Work phone: 352-732-7534
Business cell: 352-843-0042
Fax: 855-474-6990
Counties served: Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia.
CHAMPIONS GATE AREA OFFICE
Angela Smith, Area Director
8390 Champions Gate Blvd, Suite 210, Champions Gate, FL 33896
Work phone: 863-420-4833
Fax: 855-474-8230
Counties served: Brevard, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk.
ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA OFFICE **(see Sub Office information)
Ada Rivera, Area Director
420 South State Road 7, Suite 166, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
Work phone: 561-792-2727
Fax: 855-475-4827
**N. Ft. Myers (Sub Office of Royal Palm Beach)
Ada Rivera, Area Director
3434 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Suite 209-A, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33903
Work phone: 239-997-7331
Fax: 855-475-8043
Counties served from Royal Palm Beach and North Fort Myers: Broward, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota.
ST. CROIX U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AREA OFFICE
Kimme Bryce, Area Director
4401 Sion Farm, Ste. #2, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Work phone: 340-773-9146
Business cell: 340-201-4211
Fax: 855-475-6940
Locations served: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.
Previous Webinars
USDA/NREL REAP Distributed Wind Energy Webinar: June 17th 1:00 PM EST. Join us to learn how distributed wind technologies can best contribute to rural businesses, including tips on submitting successful REAP wind applications.
USDA/NREL REAP Solar plus Battery Storage Webinar: July 17th 3:00 PM EST. Join us to learn how solar plus storage technologies can best contribute to rural businesses, including tips on submitting successful REAP solar plus battery storage applications.