WVFA Mountain State Forestry Spring 2021

F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) The REAP program provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Grants up to 25% of total project costs, up to $250,000 for energy ef ficiency improvements and $500,000 for renewable energy systems. Loan Guarantees up to 75%*. Funds may be used for: • Biomass systems • Solar • Solar+Battery storage • HVAC improvements • Lighting • Insulation • Equipment replacement • & more Grant applications may require an independent energy audit, technical report and/or feasibility study. Applications for grants of $20,000 or less are due October 31. Applications for grants of all sizes are due March 31. For more information, visit: www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy- america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy- efficiency Or contact: Jesse Gandee, USDA – WV State Energy Coordinator jesse.gandee@usda.gov / 304-284-4882 Inter-State went back to NCIFund & USDA for help replacing their 30-year-old wood-fired dryer kilns. Their three new dryer kilns are expected to reduce the amount of wood used in the biomass boiler which heats the kilns by 40%. NCIFund has worked with multiple companies in the wood products industry that have seen big returns from energy-saving projects. So, they are launching a new initiative targeted at the industry, to provide technical and financial assistance for wood- biomass and solar project development. Specifically, NCIFund can facilitate and help cover the cost of any technical consulting or studies needed for the REAP grant application; package the application; help identify and vet vendors; and can also offer financing for energy-saving projects as well as other business loans (including PPP loans). NCIFund assistance services are open to all regardless of financing. In addition to energy cost savings and grants, there is a federal “Investment Tax Credit” (ITC) for solar. In fact, the 26% ITC was scheduled to sunset but was just extended through 2022 as a part of the recent COVID relief bill; and a biomass ITC might be coming in the future. Energy-saving investments also provide a defense against increasing and volatile rates, and can increase the value of your assets, improve worker safety, and build customer loyalty. NCIFund is a non-profit lender and economic development organization affiliated with The Conservation Fund. Working with partners, The Conservation Fund has protected over eight million acres across the U.S. and over 100,000 acres in West Virginia. Through its Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund has a special commitment to identify at-risk private forests and protect them from fragmentation and degradation. Learn more about NCIFund & The Conservation Fund at: ncifund.org & conservationfund.org For more information on the USDA REAP grant and assistance or loans from NCIFund, contact: Hannah Vargason at hvargason@ conservationfund.org or 681-252-4283. For more information on The Conservation Fund/Working Forest Fund, contact: Joe Hankins at jhankins@conservationfund.org or 304-268-2639. *USDA provides a guarantee to your lender; loan terms are negotiated between the lender and borrower.