Two Midcoast businesses have been selected for matching-fund assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Limina Renewal Center LP will receive $33,850 (to be matched by recipient): This Rural Development investment will be used to help Limina Renewal Center LP, a retreat in Searsport, Maine, install a 27.54-kilowatt (kW) roofmounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is expected to generate 31,960 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually.

Chase Solar will receive $67,987 (to be matched by recipient): This Rural Development investment will be used to help Chase Solar located in Warren, Maine, install a 71-kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is expected to generate 96,425 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Maine partners 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 on November 14, 2024 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.

“Today we are awarding grants to a variety of small businesses that provide valuable products and services to their communities,” said Director Hampson, in a news release. “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 make energy efficiency improvements. 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 that participates in REAP must cover at least half of the total cost for its project. The grants announced in Maine on November 14 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 deadlines to apply 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