USDA Rural Development MT Availability of 2014 REAP Funds Rural Energy for America (REAP)

USDA Rural Development will be making 2014 REAP Funds available. A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is anticipated for publication the week of May 5th – NEXT WEEK (Note: see application deadlines below)

The REAP program is designed to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and energy consumption by providing Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and Energy Efficient Improvement (EEI) Grants and Guaranteed Loans.

Grants are competitively awarded and can be up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs. Guaranteed Loans can be up to 75 percent of total eligible project cost.

Eligible Applicants are:

* Agricultural Producers or Rural Small Business

Eligible Projects include:

* Purchase and install Renewable Energy Systems
* Make Energy Efficiency Improvements to their operations

Eligible Renewable Energy Systems under REAP include:

* Wind
* Solar
* Renewable biomass (including anaerobic digester)
* Small Hydroelectric
* Ocean energy
* Geothermal

Application Deadlines:

Applicants may be submitted anytime and applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. Applications may be submitted even before the notice is published. The application window for grants closes 60 days after the Notice publishes and application window for guaranteed loans closes, 31 July, 2014 – monthly competitions for guaranteed loans on the first business day of each month. (REAP is a competitive program with applications received competing against each other for available funds)

​Local Montana Field Office Contacts:

Bozeman Craig Hildreth – [email protected] – (406) 585-2548

Billings Gloria Hawkins – [email protected] – (406) 657-6297 ext. 124

Great Falls Lea McGiboney – [email protected] – (406) 727-7580 ext. 103

Kalispell Lyle Coney – [email protected] – (406) 756-2005 ext. 110

Missoula Heather Handeland – [email protected] – (406) 829-3395 ext. 106