Nonprofit offers grant-writing workshops for USDA Rural Energy for America grants

PORTLAND — Energy Trust wants to help Oregon rural small businesses and agricultural producers apply for USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) grants for solar energy systems. The nonprofit will provide information about its grant-writing assistance at free information sessions in Bend/Redmond, Medford/White City, Pendleton and Corvallis/Lebanon. Participants interested in proceeding with an application may then register for grant-writing workshops and review sessions, facilitated by experienced grant-writing consultants.

The free information sessions will be held in:
* Pendleton — December 9, 6 -7:30 p.m. and December 10, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, 72789 Highway 331
* Bend — January 12, 6-7:30 p.m., Boyle Education Center, Central Oregon Community College; and January 13, 9:30-11 a.m., Redmond City Council Chambers
* Medford — January 21, 6-7:30 p.m., Room HEC-132, Rogue Community College/Southern Oregon University, 101 S. Bartlett, Medford; and January 22, 9:30-11 a.m., Room TRC-132, Rogue Community College Table Rock Campus, 7800 Pacific Ave., White City
* Corvallis/Lebanon — February 11, 6-7:30 p.m., Linn-Benton Community College; and February 12, 9-11 a.m., Lebanon Center, 44 Industrial Way, Lebanon

“There’s a bright future for solar energy in Oregon’s rural areas, and we’re pleased to be able to help Oregon farmers, ranchers and other rural small businesses apply for USDA dollars to help pay for solar projects,” says Betsy Kauffman, renewable power outreach manager, Energy Trust. “We’re expanding our support for interested applicants based on the success of past, smaller efforts.”

Energy Trust has a noteworthy track record in helping applicants write successful applications. Last spring, all seven of the applicants who received Energy Trust assistance were awarded solar REAP grants, which ranged from $8,380 to $39,900. REAP grants typically cover 25 percent of the cost of a renewable power project such as solar.

The information sessions are free; the cost to participate in the complete workshop process is $750, and includes a two-day workshop with lunch and refreshments, template application, application notebook and support services from grant-writing specialists from Resource Consultants.

When the workshop and review sessions are over, each participant will have a complete grant application for solar electric systems ready for submittal to USDA. For complete information about dates and locations, visit www.energytrust.org/REAPworkshops <http://www.energytrust.org/REAPworkshops> . If you want to attend the workshops but cannot attend an information session, contact Elizabeth McNannay, 541-890-5575, elizabeth@resourceconsultants.org.

Eligible applicants must be located outside of Oregon’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford and Bend. For complete information about USDA’s Rural Energy for America program, including an address look-up tool to determine eligibility, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/bizrural.htm <http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/bizrural.htm> .

USDA plans to make REAP grants totaling more than $50 million for 2009 for renewable energy projects on farms, ranches and other rural businesses. Each grant is capped at $500,000 and may not exceed 25 percent of total project cost. The program was previously named Section 9006. Rural agricultural producers and businesses, such as farms, ranches, wineries, bed and breakfasts, dairies, nurseries, manufacturers and forest products firms are eligible to apply for grants.

Energy Trust’s grant-writing workshops are available only for those applying for solar electric system grants with a maximum project cost of $200,000. Eligible projects must be located in the Oregon service territory of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power. Off-grid projects are not eligible for Energy Trust support.

Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. For more information, visit Energy Trust’s Web site, www.energytrust.org , or call 1-866-368-7878.