Rural Development announces the availability of up to $22.8 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2005 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses.

Of the $22.8 million, $11.4 million will be set aside through August 31, 2005, for guaranteed loans. These funds will be administered under a final rule to be published in the Federal Register later this fiscal year. Any guaranteed loan funds not obligated by August 31, 2005, will be made available for competitive grants under this notice.

In order to be eligible for grant funds, the agricultural producer or rural small business must demonstrate financial need. The grant request must not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project costs.

DATES: Applications must be completed and submitted to the appropriate United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Rural Development Office postmarked no later than 90 days after the date of the published notice. Applications postmarked after that date will be returned to the applicant with no action.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals to the USDA State Rural Development Office where your project is located or, in the case of a rural small business, where you are headquartered. A list of the Energy Coordinators and State Rural Development Office addresses and telephone numbers follow. For further information about this solicitation, please contact the applicable State Office. This document is available on our Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html

USDA State Rural Development Office

New Jersey 
Michael Kelsey, USDA Rural Development
5th Floor North, Suite 500
8000 Midlantic Drive
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
(856) 787-7700, Ext. 7751