Biden-Harris Administration creates grants for rural business, agriculture in Hawai‘i, Western Pacific

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Hawai‘i State Director Chris Kanazawa today announced the availability of grants to help Hawai‘i and the Western Pacific agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is making sure rural people get a
fair chance at grants to make energy more affordable, create new economic opportunity, and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Kanazawa said. “The technical assistance grants I am
announcing today will provide hands-on support to local farmers, ranchers, and rural small
business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like wind and solar, and
energy efficiency measures. These investments will be supportive of Gov. Green’s Clean
Energy Future initiatives in helping producers and small businesses lower energy costs, access
new markets and strengthen their operations.”

The USDA is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program to help prospective applicants access the program. Eligible
recipients for these grants include state, Tribal or local governments; colleges and universities;
electric cooperatives and utility companies; and for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Recipients may use the funds to:

• Help rural agricultural producers and small business owners apply for Rural Energy for America Program funding.
• Provide information on how business owners and agricultural producers can improve the
• energy efficiency of their operations and use renewable energy technologies and
• resources.
• Conduct required energy assessments and audits.
• Help agricultural producers and small business owners plan, build or develop renewable
• energy or energy efficiency projects.

The USDA will give funding priority to applicants proposing to assist distressed or disadvantaged communities, applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies and applicants seeking grants under $20,000.

The Department also encourages interested applicants to contact their USDA Rural Development state office.