South Dakota Workshops Rural Energy for American Program (REAP)

We invite you to attend one of three informational workshops being sponsored by USDA Rural Development, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and the South Dakota Farmer’s Union and hear from staff regarding opportunities available to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses.  The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide guaranteed loans, grants or a combination loan and grant to eligible applicants for eligible projects and costs.  These free workshops will provide information about REAP as well as its use to fund ethanol blender pumps.  Eligible projects for renewable energy systems include production of energy from wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal systems, hydro power, hydrogen-based sources.  The projects can produce any form of energy including; heat, electricity or fuel.  Energy Efficiency projects, for example, can be such things as upgrading grain dryers, insulation, or heating, cooling and  lighting upgrades.

Most rural projects that reduce energy use and result in savings for the agricultural producer or rural small business are eligible as energy efficiency projects, including lighting, insulation, or purchase and replacement of equipment with more efficient units. Some use REAP incentives to upgrade to more efficient ventilation, pumps, coolers, insulation, or heating and cooling systems. Others now generate their own energy with solar panels, wind turbines, biogas or biofuels.

If you would like more information about these programs, please plan to attend one of the following five workshops:

  • Tuesday, March 29, 2011…Bath, SD at Northern Electric Coop, 9456 – 133rd Street, beginning at
    1:00 p.m. CT
  • Wednesday, March 30, 2011…Huron, SD at South Dakota Farmers Union Auditorium, 1410 Dakota Avenue South, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT
  • Thursday, March 31, 2011…Pierre, SD at USDA Office, Boardroom, 1717 North Lincoln, Pierre, SD; beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT

These workshops will provide information for prospective applicants on the USDA Rural Energy for America Program, including:

  • Eligible Loan/Grant Purpose
  • Financial Information
  • Application Tips
  • Eligible Applicants
  • Maximum Loan and Grant Amounts
  • Application Deadlines

After the general workshop staff will be available for one on one discussion if needed.  For additional information, please contact Matt McLarty, Environmental Law and Policy Center at (605) 274-7060 or mmclarty@elpc.org.

USDA, under its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in 500 national, state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $134 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

– USDA –