Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Grant (REAP-TAG) is a program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency to assist agricultural producers and rural-small businesses applying to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Through this program, Cherokee Nation seeks to provide comprehensive technical assistance to registered Cherokee agricultural producers and other federally recognized registered tribal members/citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation applying for funding through the Rural Energy for America Program.  

USDA Rural Development provides Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Systems loans and/or grants through REAP to assist agricultural producers and rural-small businesses with evaluating energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy systems or energy-efficient infrastructure into their operations. 

The Rural Energy for America Program Technical Assistance Program is provided through Cherokee Nation. Applications are submitted to USDA Rural Development, who will determine and grant all awards.  

Program Eligibility 

Those who can apply for this program are rural-small business owners and agricultural producers with at least 50% of their gross income coming from agricultural operations or productions. Agricultural producers located in rural and non-rural areas and small businesses located in rural areas with a population of 50,000 or less are eligible. More information about REAP eligibility can be found at the link below: 

https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu 

If you are unsure of your eligibility, Cherokee Nation’s REAP-TAG Technical Assistant can help make this determination.     

Funding 

Currently, there are two types of funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program to provide funding for Renewable Energy Systems and/or Energy Efficiency Systems.  

  1. Grants: Up to 50% of total eligible project costs can be covered through REAP grant funding.
  2. Loan guarantees: Up to 75% of total eligible project costs can be covered through loan guarantees.  

Interest Rates: Interest rates are negotiated between the lender and borrower, and may be fixed or variable. 

Applicable Fees: There is an initial guaranteed fee of 1% of the guaranteed amount and a guarantee retention fee of 0.25% of the outstanding principal balance, paid annually.  

How to Request Assistance  

Applicants may contact the Technical Assistant for questions and details pertaining to the Rural Energy for America Program.  

Cherokee Nation’s REAP Technical Assistant will provide one-on-one assistance to agricultural producers wanting to apply for assistance under REAP for energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy systems, provide information on how to improve the energy efficiency of the operations, use renewable energy technologies and resources in their operations, assist with filing for System Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) registrations, assist with the completion of documentation required for submittal of applications, determine eligibility, and assist with completing a REAP application. 

This technical assistance is available for Cherokee Nation citizens residing in the Cherokee Nation Reservation, At-Large Cherokee citizens, and other federally recognized tribal members/citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. If you are not a registered Cherokee Nation citizen residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, an At-Large Cherokee citizen, or a federally recognized tribal member/citizen residing within the Cherokee Nation Reservation, you are not eligible for technical assistance through Cherokee Nation’s REAP--TAG program.  

To request technical assistance through Cherokee Nation’s REAP-TAG program, utilize the contact information below: 

Technical Assistant: Tarina Lowe
Email: reap@cherokee.org 

Please note: Technical Assistant will not submit REAP applications on behalf of the applicant, or award any applications on behalf of USDA-RD.

Resources  

Cherokee Nation REAP-TAG will be recording and posting a 12-part webinar series introducing the Rural Energy for America Program, project ideas, pre-application steps, document retention, cost and criteria, working with the agency, post-award overview, and a general Cherokee Nation REAP-TAG program overview. Applicants will be able to access these webinars here.

  • Intro to REAP Webinar
    REAP provides financing & grant funding to producers and agricultural rural-small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
  • REAP Technical Assistance Webinar
    One-on-one application assistance is provided to agricultural producers applying for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements.
  • REAP Cost and Criteria
    A breakdown of REAP Cost and Criteria. 

Additional Resources: 

Frequently Asked Questions

Rural-small business owners and agricultural producers with at least 50% of their gross income coming from agricultural operations or productions. 

Agricultural producers located in rural and non-rural areas and small businesses located in rural areas with a population of 50,000 or less are eligible. 

To request technical assistance for REAP through Cherokee Nation, please email reap@cherokee.org. Cherokee Nation’s Technical Assistant will provide technical assistance to Cherokee Nation citizens and members/citizens of other federally recognized tribes residing in the Cherokee Nation Reservation as well as At-Large Cherokee citizens.

The purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as: 

  • Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels)
  • Geothermal for electric generation or direct use
  • Hydropower below 30 megawatts
  • Hydrogen
  • Small and large wind generation
  • Small and large solar generation
  • Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as: 

  • High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
  • Insulation
  • Lighting
  • Cooling or refrigeration units
  • Doors and windows
  • Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots
  • Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor
  • Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment 

Applications are reviewed quarterly. Turning your application in earlier in the quarterly window may increase your chance at an approved status. 

Dates: 

July 1 - September 30 

October 1 – December 31 

January 1 – March 31 

The agency will not accept applications submitted during an annual application window closing between April 1 and June 30 of each year. 

No. Home-based businesses are not eligible under this statute.  

No. Vehicles of any type (including boats), agricultural tillage equipment and used equipment, are not eligible under REAP. 

Applicants may apply to switch from a diesel motor to an electric motor. 

No.  The purchase of land is not an eligible use of funds under the REAP grant program. 

Applying for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will not result in the loss of your current USDA funding, such as NRCS funding. 

Registering your production or business and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier may take several weeks. Additionally, the application process for the REAP program typically involves a review period that can range from a few weeks to several months after submission, depending on the timing of the application within the quarterly cycle. 

More information about REAP can be found on the REAP website: Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants | Rural Development.

Cherokee Nation’s Technical Assistant can also provide additional information and can be reached at reap@cherokee.org.  

Updated November 18, 2025