$23 Million Available for New and Improved Energy Systems

May 9, 2003

A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), published in the April 8, 2003 Federal Register, announced the availability of $23 million in grant funds for Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Projects through USDA Rural Development. These grant funds will be competed for nationally by small businesses in communities of 50,000 population or less and by farmers and ranchers.

Applicants must be agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and have demonstrated a financial need.

Eligible for funding as Renewable Energy System projects are projects such as wind, solar, biomass, biogas, and geothermal. Funding is also available for Energy Efficiency Improvement projects such as improvements to HVAC systems, insulation, refrigeration, lighting, pumping systems, airsystems, motor systems, irrigation efficiency improvements, etc.

Grants are at hand for commercially available or pre-commercially available technologies for up to 25% of eligible project costs. Renewable Energy System requests can be considered for a minimum grant of $10,000 and maximum of $500,000. Energy Efficiency Improvement grants will have a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $250,000. Separate applications can be considered for Renewable Energy Projects and/or Energy Efficiency Improvement proposals.

Applications for these grant funds must be postmarked no later than June 6, 2003. Complete application information may be obtained from the Colorado Rural Development State Office at 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, Lakewood, CO, 80215 or by calling 1.800.424.,6214, ext. 2931 or 720.544.2931.