BANGOR — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson today announced that the agency is partnering with 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). The funding announced includes thirteen grants totaling $2.2M. The awards will help small businesses in six counties across Maine implement cost-saving, clean, efficient energy systems on their properties.

Nomad Properties LLC received $23,664. This Rural Development investment will help Nomad Properties LLC in Norway,  install a 16-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is expected to save $3,289 in annual energy costs.

“Today we are awarding grants to a variety of small businesses that provide valuable products and services to their communities,” said Director Hampson. “Once they complete these projects to add small-scale solar arrays on their rooftops and backyards, the businesses also will be helping to ensure that Maine’s power grid can supply the energy we all need. Powering people with modern, renewable energy infrastructure creates good-paying jobs and supports opportunities for people to drive economic prosperity and security. REAP is a win for businesses, jobs, ratepayers, and the environment.”

REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydropower energy and improve energy efficiency. These innovations help them increase their income, grow their businesses, and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

Each farm and business participating in REAP must cover at least half of the total cost for its project. The grants announced in Maine today will help fund projects in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Oxford, Waldo, and York counties (for the full list of Maine awardees, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/2sn9k4u5).

In addition to the Maine awards, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is funding new projects through REAP in nearly every state. The program has seen record demand in response to historic funding provided by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Visit the program website for additional information and see the “To Apply” tab for the application documents. The next application deadlines are Dec. 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Please send specific questions to Katrina Shaw, State Energy Coordinator, USDA Rural Development (call 207-990-9129 or email Katrina.Shaw@usda.gov.