Grantees will perform energy audits and provide renewable energy assistance to agricultural producers and small rural businesses
                                                                                                                                               
(February 17, 2011, Albuquerque, NM) USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner announced today that Rural Development is accepting applications that will provide energy audits and renewable energy development assistance to New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses. The audits and assistance will be provided by eligible applicants, which include units of State, tribal or local government; land-grant colleges, universities or other institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives, and public power entities. The deadline for receipt of applications at the RD State Office in Albuquerque is February 21.
 
In making the announcement, Brunner said, “This is a program that allows successful applicants to provide direct and much needed energy assistance to members of their community.” Brunner added, “With their guidance, our New Mexico agricultural producers and rural small businesses will have a better idea of how they can reduce their energy consumption by changing out equipment to more efficient equipment and also how they can reduce their consumption of fossil fuel by converting to the use of a renewable energy.”
The maximum grant is $100,000 with no grantee contribution required. Competition is at the national level. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to, salaries directly and indirectly related to the project, travel, office supplies and administrative costs up to 5%. Application templates may be obtained by contacting Jesse Monfort Bopp at 505.761.4952 USDA-Rural Development's State Office.
 
Application must be received at the USDA-Rural Development State Office by Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 4:30pm (NOT a postmark date). The State Office address is, USDA-Rural Development, 6200 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM  87109.
 
For more information on these and all USDA Rural Development business and cooperative programs, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs.