Millions Are Available for Rural and Tribal Businesses, Farmers and Ranchers to Install Solar. We Can Help
Solar panels on the roof of Pines Inn & Suites, which saved 70% of the installation cost through the Rural Energy For America Program (via Pines Inn & Suites)
As a small business owner in northern Arizona for many years, I always looked for ways to improve my business and make a positive impact on my community. But like other small business owners, the reality and rigors of daily management often demanded my full attention.
One of the opportunities I had wanted to explore was installing solar panels on my building to reduce my energy bills. Living in Arizona, it just seems logical to leverage our endless amount of sunlight. But I discovered that solar can be pretty expensive to pay for on the front end, which is a barrier for many businesses.
Donya Hasiak, REAP technical assistance manager at Local First Arizona
Fast forward to today, opportunities I wish were available when I ran my coffee shop in Williams are now becoming a reality through the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
And I’m thrilled to be launching a program at Local First Arizona to help rural and tribal business owners seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win federal funding that will make upgrades like solar extremely affordable.
Clean energy is finally within reach
Over the next three years, small businesses from rural Arizona and tribal nations and agricultural producers across the state can apply for assistance to cover up to 50% of the cost of renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. In Arizona alone, $30 million in funding is available.
Small business owners can now look at installing solar, wind and biogas technologies, as well as projects such as replacing old equipment and insulating buildings, knowing that these improvements are financially in reach.
Normally, the cost of a project like solar could take a small business 10-15 years to recoup from energy bill savings. A project funded through REAP, on the other hand, can typically be paid off in just 2-3 years.
Free assistance to apply
Tribal, rural and agricultural business owners can receive free help to apply for REAP funding (via Local First Arizona)
The challenge is that the REAP grant application can take two to three days to fill out — a daunting task for anyone handling the daily rigors of running their business.
With this in mind, Local First Arizona is stepping in to make free grant writing services available to qualified business owners and agricultural producers through our new REAP Assistance Center.
It brings me great joy to know that an organization I work for is eliminating barriers for small business owners and opening up doors to receive funding for clean energy and modernized buildings and equipment, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars on their annual utility costs. All while helping to improve air quality and the environment at large.
As part of our grant writing services, we assist each business owner through the entire process. We help them identify the necessary paperwork, facilitate an energy efficiency audit through the Industrial Assessment School at ASU, fill out the grant form and even assist them in finding local financial institutions with green lending products to maximize funding while creating a lower impact on their cash flow.
Cottonwood hotel reaps the benefits
Anna May Cory (right) and her son and daughter-in-law run Pines Inn & Suites. They saved 70% off their solar installation. (via Pines Inn & Suites)
I have seen this transformative funding already come to fruition.
Anna May Cory, owner of Pines Inn and Suites in Cottonwood, was an early applicant for this funding and installed solar on the roof of her hotel. She was able to achieve 70% off the installation cost with the help of a $32,000 reimbursement from REAP and $23,000 in tax credits. She now anticipates saving as much as $10,000 each year on her utility bill.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for rural and tribal business owners, farmers and ranchers to become energy independent, protect the environment, bolster your bottom line and become a part of a more sustainable future for us all.
With the support of Local First Arizona, there is no downside to learning more about this opportunity, so I implore you to take action.
The next quarterly deadline to submit grant applications is Sept. 30, so reach out to us as soon as possible at localfirstaz.com/reap to secure the support you need to make this a reality.
Donya Hasiak is the REAP Technical Assistance Manager at Local First Arizona. She is a resident of Flagstaff and operated a small business for 10 years.
Visit www.localfirstaz.com/reap to request assistance.
