Several Eastern Kentucky businesses recently received money for their renewable energy projects from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
- Long’s 1 & Up/Pro Hardware in Bell County for $19,481
- Silver Run Ceramics in Boyd County for $5,150
- Longview Estate in Garrard County for $17,095
- Breeding’s Plumbing and Electric in Letcher County for $19,999
- Mountain Truck Parts in Letcher County for $19,999
- London Tower Properties in Laurel County for $3,824
- Bluegrass Biochar in Powell County for $5,925
- Lazy Eight Stock Farm in Garrard County for $7,522
- SouthDown Farm in Letcher County for $7,688
The USDA administers REAP to provide financial assistance to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities, and participate in energy audits.
The amounts range from $2,500-$500,000 for renewable energy systems and from $1,500-$250,000 for energy efficiency grants.
Solar photovoltaic and efficiency upgrades are the most common REAP applications we help submit, but other eligible renewable systems include solar water heat & solar space heat, geothermal electric & solar thermal electric, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, and more. For specific details on what is eligible, please contact us.
Since 2015, the Mountain Association has worked with 18 businesses to receive nearly $510,000 in REAP funding for both energy efficiency and solar projects. In Kentucky, nearly all projects meeting REAP eligibility criteria have been successful in being awarded their funding.
Applying to REAP can be a complex and lengthy process, but a worthwhile one for the right project. It may be important for your business or farm to start with an energy efficiency audit to determine if an application for funding would be best spent on energy efficiency upgrades or if you are ready for a renewable energy system. Note: REAP funds no more than 25 percent of your total project cost. We offer affordable financing options to eligible businesses and organizations which may cover any remaining portions.
The first 2021 deadline is March 31. The next deadline will likely be in November.
Please contact our energy team well in advance of the deadline if you would like to learn more about REAP and to discuss your building’s energy efficiency or renewable project: Carrie at carrie@mtassociation.org or (859) 671-0240.
To learn more about REAP, please visit the USDA website here.
Other recent recipients include:
- Print My Threads in Greenup County, KY was awarded ~$20,000 for a solar installation and ~$19,500 for energy efficiency upgrades at their screenprinting facility
- Isom IGA was awarded ~$43,000 through two grants for a new roof, lighting and solar on their grocery store in Letcher County
- Annie’s Frugal Finery was awarded ~$16,300 for solar on their consignment store in Whitesburg
- Long’s Pic Pac in Bell County was awarded ~$58,000 for energy efficiency
- Trillium Ventures was awarded ~$18,000 to support solar on the roof of a redeveloped building in downtown Corbin
