USDA REAP Grants for RSW and More
/The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) Energy Audit Program provides low-cost energy audits and grant assistance to small businesses, including commercial fishers and can be used for upgrading or installing RSW, insulating fish holds, hold zoning, replacing lighting, and more. An energy audit is step one to qualifying for a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant that will cover 25% of vessel upgrades.
So far, 17 Bristol Bay commercial fishers have used this program and received $210,818 in grant funding for energy efficiency improvements including RSW upgrades and adding hold insulation.
Details:
· The program is open to all who commercial fish in Alaska. An Alaska commercial fishing permit or and Alaska business license makes an applicant eligible.
· REAP gran
Details:
· The program is open to all who commercial fish in Alaska. An Alaska commercial fishing permit or and Alaska business license makes an applicant eligible.
· REAP grants cover 25% of the cost of making upgrades that improve efficiency. Such as:
o RSW purchase, install, or upgrade
o Fish hold insulation
o Hold zoning
o Improving lighting and more
· SWAMC offers support to commercial fishers with the USDA REAP grant application process.
· You can submit the REAP application on a rolling basis, however, it is important to know applications are reviewed on October 31st and March 31st.
· The process can take a few months so it is recommended that you submit your application before the October 31st review if you would like reimbursement before next fishing season in spring of 2021.
· An applicant cannot have spent any of the money for the improvement before submitting the application. You must show you have funds available to pay for the equipment/installation costs when you submit the REAP grant application. If awarded, you will then be able to submit your receipts and request a 25% reimbursement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit https://swamc.org/programs/energy-audit/ for more information and for a helpful list of FAQs (also listed below).
Contact energy@swamc.org
Call (907) 450-2461 to learn more about the commercial energy audit and grant assistance program.
To sign up, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWAMCfishing
This information is also available on the BBRSDA Chilling webpage at this LINK.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS from SWAMC:
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ELIGIBLE FOR THE USDA REAP GRANT?
1. You confirm you are a small business in Alaska. For building owners, this means you hold an active Alaska business license. For commercial fishers, this means you have an active limited entry commercial fishing permit or an Alaska business license.
2. You speak with the energy auditor to determine if the upgrades you are considering will score well on the USDA REAP application process.
IS THERE A COST TO THIS PROGRAM?
Yes, the energy audit costs between $500 and $750 for commercial fishing vessels and between $225 and $2,250 (depending on square footage and type of audit) for commercial buildings.
WHEN DO I HAVE TO PAY?
You will be asked to pay for the energy audit after discussing your vessel or building with the energy auditor. A quote will be sent and you will be asked to pay.
CAN THE REAP GRANT COVER UPGRADES I’VE ALREADY PAID FOR?
No, the REAP grant will not cover any costs incurred before your REAP grant application has been submitted. Contact us if you are in a rush to order or put down payments on equipment. We will work with you, but any money spent before your REAP application is submitted are not eligible for reimbursement.
WHAT’S THE TIMING ON GETTING THE ENERGY AUDIT AND REAP GRANT?
· After you register for the audit, you will receive a call or email with 2 weeks to ask additional questions and connect you with the energy auditor.
· Once you pay for the energy audit, the auditor will send info requests and/or schedule a site assessment.
· After the information is collected on your vessel or building, it typically takes 2 weeks to a month to finish the energy audit report.
· USDA accepts REAP grant applications year-round. Applications are reviewed twice a year – typically October 31 and March 31. The soonest you would be awarded after submitting a grant application would be in November 2020 or approximately May 2021. You will have two years after being awarded the grant to use the funds.
IF I DO THIS PROCESS, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES I WILL GET THE GRANT?
The USDA REAP grant is competitive and has scoring criteria based on several factors. At present, there are more grant applications being submitted than funding available. If you are not awarded in the first round, your grant application will be considered for 4 rounds of funding
CAN I USE REAP GRANT FUNDING TO PAY FOR MY UPGRADE UP FRONT?
No, this is a reimbursable grant. This means you must show you have funds available to pay for the equipment/installation costs when you submit the REAP grant application. If awarded, you will then be able to submit your receipts and request a 25% reimbursement.
View this page as a PDF at this LINK: USDA REAP Grant Program Info and FAQs
