News & Events
Section 9006 Program Funds for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements
Posted 3/7/2008 2:02:24 PM
This message is from Molly Hammond, USDA Rural Development- Illinois, April 7,2008
USDA published a notice yesterday (4/6/08)in the Federal Register announcing it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. For FY 2008 there is approximately $15.9 million in funding for competitive grants and $205 million in authority for guaranteed loans. Funding for grant and loan combination packages will be funded from the same allocation as loan guarantees.
I have attached the Federal Register document to this email. Please read it carefully. Pay particular attention to the mention of the Environmental Assessment. The environmental process should begin right away. Please contact me for information on environmental requirements for specific projects.
This year there will be two competitive grant cycles. The first deadline is April 15, 2008. Applications that are not funded in the first competition will automatically be considered under the second competition. Grant applications in the second cycle are due no later than June 16, 2008. Loan applications and grant/loan combination applications will be evaluated on a bi-weekly basis until June 16. These will be funded on a first-come first-serve basis. I would suggest submitting a combination application as soon as possible. Please note that combination applications must score at least 84 points to remain eligible.
Please see the following websites for more information on the program:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html - Section 9006 website
A copy of the regulation can be found at the above website, but a more reader-friendly version is available at this link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/4280b.pdf
Application templates and other useful items can be found at the Environmental Law and Policy Center website. Please note that this is not a USDA Rural Development website.
www.farmenergy.org
http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/provider_search.asp - Link to a list of grant writers.
I look forward to working with you, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Molly K. Hammond
USDA Rural Development - Illinois
Business Cooperative Specialist
Phone: 217-403-6210
Fax: 217-403-6215
Posted 3/7/2008 2:00:07 PM
Funding Opportunities
Posted 1/7/2008 9:14:51 AM
The USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant is eligible to agriculture producers for planning activities or working capital expenses to assist them in receiving a greater share of the consumer’s dollar for value-added agricultural products.
Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business venture.
Planning expenses can include the creation of a business plan, feasibility study, marketing plan, or legal fees associated with establishing the venture. Working capital expenses may include labor, inventory, office equipment, office rent, utilities, marketing expenses, consulting fees, etc. All expenses must relate directly to the value-added process.
This grant does require a dollar for dollar match in the form of cash, line of credit, or third party in-kind contributions. Other federal grants cannot be used as match. The maximum award for a planning grant is $100,000. The maximum award for a working capital grant is $300,000.
More information about this grant can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm or by contacting Matt Harris, Business Cooperative Specialist, at 217.403.6211 or Matthew.Harris@il.usda.gov.
The USDA Rural Development’s Section 9006 program provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and small business to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who gain 50% or more of their gross income from their agricultural operations. Small businesses located in rural areas are also eligible.
Grants can fund up to 25% of a project’s total costs but limited to $500,000 for renewable energy projects or $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements. Grants as low as $2500 for renewable energy projects and $1500 for energy efficiency improvements will be considered. The loan guarantee program is limited to 50% of the project’s total eligible costs with a maximum of $10 million.
Eligible renewable energy projects include projects that produce energy from wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydrogen-based sources. It can produce any form of energy including heat, electricity, or fuel. The systems must be located in a rural area, technically feasible, and owned by the applicant. Energy efficiency projects can include retrofitting lighting or insulation, or purchasing or replacing equipment with more efficient units. Energy efficient projects on new building construction are typically not eligible.
For more information on this program, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill.apply.html , or contact Molly Hammond at 217.403.6210 or Molly.Hammond@il.usda.gov.
The USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program’s letter of intent is due January 10 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. This grant’s focus is on increasing food self-reliance of communities; promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; develop innovative linkages between the public, for-profit, and nonprofit food sectors; and encourage long-term planning activities and comprehensive multi-agency approaches.
Eligible applicants include private, nonprofit entities for the Community Food Project and Planning Project grants. Private, nonprofits, and other entities may apply for Training and Technical Assistance grants.
A Community Food Project is a one time grant for one to three years time, not exceeding $300,000 for three years, or $125,000 in any one year. This grant should make projects self-sustaining and designed to meet the food needs of low-income people and meet state, local, or neighborhood food and agricultural needs. The Planning Project grant may have a total project budget of $25,000 for one to three years. Planning Projects can take a comprehensive look at planning for long-term solutions that will ensure food security in community by linking the food production and processing sectors to community development, economic opportunity, and environmental enhancement. The Training and Technical Assistance Project may last from one to three years with a total budget not exceeding $300,000 or $125,000 in any one year. This type of grant is to assist current or applying Community Food Project Grant applicants with leadership development, project evaluations, technical assistance, etc.
To learn more about this grant program, visit http://www.grants.gov.
Value-Added Website
Posted 10/19/2007 11:41:31 AM
Value-Added.org has a new look!
In addition to the new look, the website offers a new tool for exploring the state's infrastructure, resources, and other information. An upgrade is already in progress that will be available soon.
Our outreach and the information available on this website are due to support from a number of organizations over the past 6+ years. We are grateful for the assistance of the USDA Rural Development -IL, IL Dept. of Ag, DCEO, IL Clean Energy Foundation, IL Corn Marketing Board, IL Soybean Assoc, IL C-FAR, and The Energy Foundation.
North Central Illinois Wine Trail
Posted 7/2/2007 2:09:23 PM
Stark County Economic Development and Tourism has created the North Central Illinois Wine Trail. It includes six wineries and Tanner's Orchard for visitors to explore. A kickoff weekend is being planned for July, when the final date is set, we will post it on our website, www.value-added.org. View a PDF file for more information at http://www.value-added.org/publications/WineTrail.pdf
