Twin Cities Development Offers Technical Assistance Grant to Help With REAP Applications
August 12, 2024
For nearly twenty years, the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has helped agricultural producers and rural small business owners improve their energy efficiency and invest in renewable resources. Twin Cities Development (TCD) recently received a technical assistance grant to support Western Nebraska REAP applicants.
“Anyone who is interested in applying for REAP funding can contact us and we will do our best to help with the process,” says Jordan Diedrich, Executive Director of TCD. “This technical assistance grant is designed to streamline the application and distribution of funds.”
Learn more about the grant and how you can use REAP funds to improve your operations.
REAP Funds Can Be Used for Energy Improvements and Investment
REAP was designed to help agricultural producers and business owners upgrade existing systems to make them more efficient. For example, if you have an old HVAC system that uses more electricity each year, you can see if REAP funding will help cover the cost of upgrading to a modern, more efficient model. These grants can cover up to 50% of project costs through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or 25% of project costs under the FARM bill.
A single improvement project can reduce your utility bills and lower your energy consumption. When dozens of business owners in Western Nebraska do the same thing, energy usage across the state drops.
Here are just a few examples of energy improvements you could apply for through REAP:
- Upgrading furnaces, air conditioning units, or water heaters.
- Replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs.
- Replacing insulation in your roof or walls.
- Updating windows and doors.
The total project cost has to be at least $6,000, and there must be a measurable improvement in energy consumption. REAP funds can also be used to invest in renewable energy, like solar panels or geothermal systems. Renewable energy projects need a $10,000 minimum investment.
TCD Can Help With the Application and Audit Processes
Potential applicants for REAP funds can start the process by contacting TCD. Not only can our team help you complete the application, but we can use the technical assistance grant to help cover the cost of the audit required if you are making an energy improvement. Renewable projects do not require an audit.
Before each project begins, a certified energy management specialist needs to complete an audit that calculates the potential energy savings. They will look at the current energy consumption at your facility or business and estimate how long it would take for the cost of the investment to pay off in the form of energy savings.
“We have to have something we can measure,” says Marla Marx, a USDA Business Programs Specialist. “Sometimes, the savings from an efficiency upgrade can pay off in less than five years.”
The technical assistance grant by TCD can help cover the cost of the audit so applicants can focus on the project itself.
Apply for REAP Funds Today
REAP funds can help cover the cost of expensive upgrades and improvements, while also making your operations more efficient. This program, along with the technical assistance provided by TCD, can give rural companies and agriculture providers a much-needed boost.
“This is a great opportunity for small businesses,” says Marx. “We have additional money from the Inflation Reduction Act and are ready to distribute it. It’s very important to get money to rural communities and keep them viable.”
Contact TCD today if you have any questions about the REAP funds and how to apply. Book an appointment with our Funding Consultant and let us help you with the application. We can also use our technical assistance grant to streamline the audit process.
