Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction offers the service of assisting in the USDA grant writing process. The USDA application process typically requires between 10 and 15 hours. The cost for completion and submittal of the grant application is $2000.00. The assigned WERC grant writer will work with the client to collect the necessary information, complete the required application forms and collate the application packet into the proper order.

The entire Midwest has a great wind resource available and the USDA can help fund wind turbines for thousands of farmers and rural small businesses. We think this is a great way to bring our tax dollars home.

The purpose of the USDA Grant program is to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption to help the nation meet its energy needs. The program will also help support and stimulate rural economic development by helping agriculture producers and rural small businesses create new renewable energy sources and income, create new jobs, and create new uses for agricultural products.

Eligible USDA Grant Applicants

Applicants must be either an agricultural producer or a small business. This program excludes residential purposes. The project must be located in a rural area.

Agricultural Producers: An individual or entity directly involved in the production of agricultural products and 50% or greater of their gross income is derived from the agricultural production.

Small Business: A private entity, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and cooperative. Municipal or Tribal electric utilities may also qualify. Must meet SBA small business size standards, including aggregate of affiliated and subsidiary entities; excludes other non-profit entities.

Rural: All areas other than a city with a population greater than 50,000 and urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city. (To find out if your address is eligible - go to http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do )

Grants can fund up to 25% of eligible project costs. Minimum and maximum grant awards $2,500.00 to $500,000.00 for renewable energy projects.

Eligible Uses

• Purchase and installation of equipment, except ag tillage equipment/vehicles (post-application)
• Construction (post-application)
• Feasibility studies and business plans
• Professional service fee, excluding application preparation
• Permit fees and energy audits

Information required by applicant to start the USDA Grant Writing Process:

• Social Security Number, Your Farm Tax ID number (for submittal as an agricultural producer), or Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Duns # - Assigned by Duns & Bradstreet. Small agricultural/business entities may not have this number yet, but all applicants are required to have one to be awarded a grant. If you do not have a DUNS number, you may obtain one by calling 800-234-3867. Usually it is easier for the applicant to work with Dun & Bradstreet directly, as personal information will need to be supplied, and a small fee will be charged.
• What type of business are you- ie. LLC, S Corp, C Corp
• Copy of the latest Tax Returns, including Schedule C (self-employed income) or Schedule F (farm income) or IRS forms related to Corporation, S Corporation or Partnership filings. (NOTE: Eligibility for application as an agricultural producer requires at least 50% of your total income to have come from agricultural sources; that claim must be supported by previous submittals to the IRS).
• Twelve months of electric bills for your business (Excluding residence)
• A USGS Map from Natural Resources Conservation Society (NRCS) depicting where your site is located
• Copy of Plat map for your property (Obtain at your local County Records office)
• Site photographs with at least two photos showing the relationship of farm buildings, trees and surrounding terrain with the turbine site. Also provide photographs taken FROM the planned location of the wind turbine. Starting from the North, take a picture every 45 degrees (North, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest view) and label photos as such. If your WERC site plan has been performed, WERC will have these pictures.
• Proof of property control - (Copy of Lease or Deed)
• Legal Description of property
• Information as to the Funding sources to cover the full purchase price of the project. This could be a simple spreadsheet or tabulated list showing sources, amounts and status of other funding including contact information for each source. WERC staff will prepare a spreadsheet based on the information provided. Copies of any loan applications, correspondence or other written communication between the applicant and funding source is required. - Example sources include: A letter of commitment from your bank for the total of required funds or, the remaining balance on a home improvement line of credit to cover the purchase price or, your bank account balance statement showing funds are available or, letters of commitment from investors or, other similar supporting documentation.
• Describe your business operations and the relationship of the proposed renewable energy project to the business operation.
• Describe the degree of ownership of the applicant in the business, including a list of individuals/entities with other ownership interest. The names of corporate parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, in any, and description of the relationship between these entities, including any product transfers, held inventories, etc..
• NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System)

USDA official website: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome

Sample wind application and documents needed for application: http://www.farmenergy.org/documents/Sample_Small_Wind_App_06_final.pdf