WERC‘s Grant Writing Team has been successful on 25 out of 27 grant applications to date. USDA grants, CERT’s grants, Power Company Grants and other grants are possible for the pioneering purchasers of small wind turbines, especially if educationally oriented.

We charge $500 down payment to start the grant application process and $1,500 when the grant is completed and submitted to the USDA.

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 customer to start the Grant Writing Process:

• Social Security Number, Farm Tax ID, or EIN
• Duns # - Assigned by Duns & Bradstreet
• Type of Business - ie. LLC, S Corp, C Corp
• Copies of the last three years Tax Returns
• Electric bill with annual usage
• Proof of property control - Copy of Lease or Deed
• Legal Description of property
• Funding sources for Project - Letter of commitment from bank
• Description of business operations
• Description of business ownership
• 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