Gordon County was among the Georgia communities selected to receive more than $1 million in grants for renewable energy or energy efficiency projects for agricultural producers and rural small businesses through USDA Rural Development.

Thirty-eight Georgia counties had recipients ranging from a low of $1,995 for poultry house insulation in Rabun County to $227,500 for a solar and wind project in Monroe County. Dodge County had the most with 21 projects.

Funds are through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This program provides loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies and energy audits. The maximum grant for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects is 25 percent of eligible project costs. The programs have different maximum dollar limitations.

More information on the REAP program, authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill, is at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei.html. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

Georgia program coordinators can be reached for more information as follows: Craig Scroggs at 404-229-5720 or craig.scroggs@ga.usda.gov; Al Burns at 229-220-5067 or al.burns@ga.usda.gov.