LEWISTON – The city, in conjunction with the Lewiston Energy Saving Committee, the Time & Tide Resource Conservation & Development Area Organization, and the USDA Rural Development Agency, will host a free workshop on March 25 to present information about the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program and the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. The workshop will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Lewiston City Hall Council Chambers, 27 Pine St. Guest speakers will be John Sheehan and Mike Grondin from the Bangor USDA Rural Development Agency office.

The workshop is geared toward small business owners and/or farmers who may be interested in reducing energy costs, generating their own “green power,” or who are looking for new ways to increase the viability of their business/farm.

REAP offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

VAPG provides grant funds (50 percent matching funds required) to agricultural producers for planning activities and working capital expenses for developing a value-added agricultural product project.

Seating is limited. Interested individuals are asked to respond prior to March 20 by contacting the Time & Tide RC&D area office at 622-7847, ext. 4, or by e-mailing carl.perry@me.usda.gov.

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