Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Oklahoma State Director, Kenneth Corn has announced that the Oklahoma State Office is now accepting Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant Applications.

A REAP grant is designed to aid small businesses or farms in rural Oklahoma with energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects. Millions of dollars has been allocated to be utilized for rural Oklahoma businesses and agriculture producers to apply for up to 50% financial assistance on an energy efficient improvement or renewable energy project. Past uses of the grant have included LED lighting, energy-efficient fans, improved refrigeration, solar power, and other energy efficient projects. Applicants must submit their grant package to the Oklahoma State Office no later than March 31, 2024.

“Small business owners and Ag producers in Oklahoma who have utilized this grant program have seen almost immediate returns for their business because of the real cost savings from energy these programs can provide,” Corn said. “President Biden is committed to not only restarting our economy through these programs, but also working to improve our climate by reducing the demand on our energy grid.”

To learn more about the REAP process visit: https://www.rd.usda. gov/programs-services/ energy-programs/ruralenergy- america-program- renewable-energy- systems-energy/ok.

Stakeholders can also email the Oklahoma State Office for more information at: okenergy@ usda.gov. “The Biden-Harris Administration continues to demonstrate that investing in clean energy is an economic winner for the State of Oklahoma,” Corn said. “I would encourage any small business owner or ag producer to contact our State Office, to see how they too can be a part of this economic growth by utilizing clean energy.”

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