USDA Offering $20,000 Grants to Small Businesses in Maine

Small business owners as well as agricultural producers in the state of Maine may be eligible for federal grants up to $20,000. The U.S Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Maine is offering the grants to encourage energy efficiency.

Eligibility

To qualify for the grants, small business owners and farmers must make energy efficient improvements or purchase and install renewable energy systems. A total of $1.25 million is going to be awarded in grant money to qualifying applicants. Small businesses located in rural areas with a population under 50,000, and agriculture producers in rural and non-rural areas may apply.

Funds can be used for the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar generation, and for energy efficient improvement. These can include lighting, heating, air conditioning, doors and windows, pumps, and replacement of energy-efficient equipment. Two rounds of grants will occur, one in April and the second in June.

Find out how to qualify and apply at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency