During National Small Business Week, USDA Rural Development encourages you to consider the value of energy and the impact its cost has on running your business. Agricultural producers and rural small businesses can reduce expenses by making energy efficiency improvements to their operations, or by installing renewable energy systems. The Rural Energy for America Program provides financial assistance through grants and guaranteed loans to help reduce energy usage, which in turn helps to improve profits.
Examples of rural small business energy efficiency projects funded in Nebraska include upgrading coolers and freezers in grocery stores and convenience stores; installing energy efficient lighting; and replacing heating, ventilation and cooling units. Agricultural producers have benefited by converting diesel/natural gas/propane irrigation motors to more efficient motors such as electric; installing variable frequency drives on electric irrigation motors; replacing grain dryers; and converting gravity to pivot or sub-surface drip tape irrigation systems.
Examples of renewable energy projects funded in Nebraska include wind turbines; solar arrays; geothermal heating and cooling; and the retrofitting of equipment for ethanol or biodiesel plants. Improvements to residential properties are not eligible.
To discuss applicant and project eligibility or for more information on the program, please visit Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), or contact Jeff Carpenter, Energy Coordinator, at 402-437-5554 or jeff.carpenter@usda.gov.
Categories: Nebraska, Business, Government & Policy