U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Joan Scheel announced today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small business owners to expand access to clean energy, create jobs, and help lower their energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. This funding includes grants that will help small businesses and farms across the country implement cost-saving, clean, efficient energy systems on their properties.

“When we power our local farms and small businesses with modern, renewable energy infrastructure they create good-paying jobs,” Scheel said.” This supports opportunities for people right here in Nebraska to drive economic prosperity and security.”

Through REAP, USDA partners with agricultural producers and small businesses to lower business costs through clean energy and energy efficiency systems. Acting State Director Scheel also announced the availability of additional REAP funds that farmers and small businesses can apply for by March 31, 2025.

REAP Investments Lower Costs and Create Jobs

In addition, USDA is investing $126 million in REAP grants that will support 654 clean energy projects in 39 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. This includes $15,650 in grants that will finance two clean energy projects in Nebraska.

Since 2021, USDA has invested $16.5 million through REAP in Nebraska through 233 awards that directly serve farmers and rural small businesses across the state. Nationally, USDA has invested more than $2.4 billion in approximately 8,500 renewable energy and energy efficiency

improvements since January 2021. This includes more than 3,000 clean energy projects totaling more than $800 million.

The investments announced today will help make it possible for agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and make energy efficiency improvements.

These innovations will help them increase their income, grow their businesses, and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

In Nebraska:

• Rick Bryant, real estate lessor in Scottsbluff, will install a solar stock-well. This $10,581 grant is expected to replace 1,360 kilowatt hours (100%) of the business’ electric energy use per year.
• Edson Farms, LLC in Chappel, will install a solar stock-well. This $5,069 grant is expected to replace 190 kilowatt hours (100%) of the business’ electric energy use per year.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

Contact USDA Rural Development in Nebraska

Information on programs administered through USDA Rural Development in Nebraska is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ne, contacting your local Rural Development office, or by following @RD_Nebraska on X.

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Rural Development offices in Nebraska: https://tinyurl.com/yc7pfytn.