USDA, Rural Development will be hosting a seminar for rural small businesses and agricultural producers to learn about how USDA can help make their operations more energy efficient though Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding. REAP provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Some projects may even qualify for a grant of up to 50% of the total qualifying project costs. There will also be representatives from two of the valley’s energy companies to demonstrate how they would work in conjunction with USDA, as partnership examples. USDA is taking applications now for REAP funding; the deadline to apply for this cycle is June 30th, 2023.