Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant (REAP-TAG) is a program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency to assist agricultural producers and rural-small businesses applying to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Through this program, Cherokee Nation seeks to provide comprehensive technical assistance to registered Cherokee agricultural producers and other federally recognized registered tribal members/citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation applying for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program.
USDA Rural Development provides Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Systems loans and/or grants through REAP to assist agricultural producers and rural-small businesses with evaluating energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy systems or energy-efficient infrastructure into their operations.
The Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Program is provided through Cherokee Nation. Applications are submitted to USDA Rural Development, who will determine and grant all awards.
Program Eligibility
Those who can apply for this program are rural-small business owners and agricultural producers with at least 50% of their gross income coming from agricultural operations or productions. Agricultural producers located in rural and non-rural areas and small businesses located in rural areas with a population of 50,000 or less are eligible. More information about REAP eligibility can be found at the link below:
https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu
If you are unsure of your eligibility, Cherokee Nation’s REAP-TAG Technical Assistant can help make this determination.
Funding
Currently, there are two types of funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program to provide funding for Renewable Energy Systems and/or Energy Efficiency Systems.
Interest Rates: Interest rates are negotiated between the lender and borrower, and may be fixed or variable.
Applicable Fees: There is an initial guaranteed fee of 1% of the guaranteed amount and a guarantee retention fee of 0.25% of the outstanding principal balance, paid annually.
How to Request Assistance
Applicants may contact the Technical Assistant for questions and details pertaining to the Rural Energy for America Program.
Cherokee Nation’s REAP Technical Assistant will provide one-on-one assistance to agricultural producers wanting to apply for assistance under REAP for energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy systems, provide information on how to improve the energy efficiency of the operations, use renewable energy technologies and resources in their operations, assist with filing for System Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) registrations, assist with the completion of documentation required for submittal of applications, determine eligibility, and assist with completing a REAP application.
This technical assistance is available for Cherokee Nation citizens residing in the Cherokee Nation Reservation, At-Large Cherokee citizens, and other federally recognized tribal members/citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. If you are not a registered Cherokee Nation citizen residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, an At-Large Cherokee citizen, or a federally recognized tribal member/citizen residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, you are not eligible for technical assistance through Cherokee Nation’s REAP--TAG program.
To request technical assistance through Cherokee Nation’s REAP-TAG program, utilize the contact information below:
Technical Assistant: Tarina LoweEmail: reap@cherokee.org
Please note: Technical Assistant will not submit REAP applications on behalf of the applicant, or award any applications on behalf of USDA-RD.
Resources
Cherokee Nation REAP-TAG will be recording and posting a 12-part webinar series introducing the Rural Energy for America Program, project ideas, pre-application steps, document retention, cost and criteria, working with the agency, post-award overview, and a general Cherokee Nation REAP-TAG program overview. Applicants will be able to access these webinars here.
Additional Resources:
REAP Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans/ok
Sam.gov: https://sam.gov/
Steps to Register with Sam.gov and Getting a Unique Entity Identifier: Steps for Sam Reg and Obtaining UEI
Required REAP Documents: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency-improvement-guaranteed-loans/ok
Full Project Chart 2023: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-reap-chart-11-01-2023.pdf
Full Project Chart 2024: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-final-reap-chart-round-5-09242024.pdf
Applying for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will not result in the loss of your current USDA funding, such as NRCS funding.
Registering your production or business and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier may take several weeks. Additionally, the application process for the REAP program typically involves a review period that can range from a few weeks to several months after submission, depending on the timing of the application within the quarterly cycle.
More information about REAP can be found on the REAP website: Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants | Rural Development.
Cherokee Nation’s Technical Assistant can also provide additional information and can be reached at reap@cherokee.org.
