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USDA REAP Technical Assistant

October 23, 2011. USDA REAP Technical Assistant. E-newables Andy Olson Harvesting Clean Energy Conference. E-newables. Created in April 2010 Leif Elgethun: Technical Feasibility, Engineering Consulting, Project Development / Managment. Andy Olson: REAP Technical Assistance Provider.

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USDA REAP Technical Assistant

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  1. October 23, 2011 USDA REAP Technical Assistant E-newables Andy Olson Harvesting Clean Energy Conference

  2. E-newables • Created in April 2010 • Leif Elgethun: Technical Feasibility, Engineering Consulting, Project Development / Managment. • Andy Olson: REAP Technical Assistance Provider.

  3. Agenda • Harvesting Clean Energy (HCE) Overview • Contract Wood River RC&D - RBEG History • RBEG: Technical Assistance for Small Business • REAP Technical Assisting Overview • Program Achievements • Next Steps • Partnerships • Q&A

  4. Harvesting Clean Energy • Program developed by Climate Solutions • Non-Profit • HCE’s Goal is to Accelerate Rural Economic Development in the NW through Clean Energy Development • Rural Clean Energy Policy • www.harvestcleanenergy.org

  5. RBEG History • USDA Rural Development partnered with HCE and Wood River RC&D to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy awareness to rural small business and agricultural producers • USDA recognized need to provide technical assistance to eligible applicants to assist with the development of potential REAP projects • Lack of experienced individuals to provide the technical assistance that was needed

  6. RBEG Overview • Harvesting Clean Energy and Wood River RC&D submitted RBEG request for following tasks: • Category 1: Develop and Execute Communications Plan (Year 1) • Category 2: Recruit, Train, and Develop technical assistant providers • Marketing Campaign: Wood River RC&D (Year 1) • Category 3: Assist and develop REAP projects (Year 1 & 2) • Category 4: Business Development Analysis (Year 1 & 2) • RBEG Funding: Year 1: $30,000, Year 2: $9,000

  7. Campaign 1 Develop and Execute Communications Plan • Maximize outreach on REAP • Existing USDA, Wood River RC&D, & Harvesting Clean Energy networks utilized • Plan intended as kickoff in messaging for new technical support • Website: www.harvestcleanenergy.org • Program Flyer • AgInfo.net radio interviews • Email notifications

  8. Campaign 2 Recruit, Train, and Develop Technical Assistants (Year 1) • Recruit: USDA and Harvesting Clean Energy worked with existing networks for developing REAP projects • Train: USDA held one day training workshop with three technical assistance providers • Develop: USDA and Harvesting Clean Energy staff continued to develop both REAP development and outreach abilities for grant writers

  9. Marketing Campaign Wood River RC&D (Year 1) • Radio Marketing Campaign used to get the word out about workshops and the grant packaging support • Wood River RC&D held half day workshop in Gooding, ID for the general public that outlined the USDA REAP program as well as REAP project support available • Wood River RC&D continued to provide ongoing marketing and communications support for the program

  10. Campaign 3 Develop REAP Projects • E-Newables served as sub-consultant to assist REAP projects • Worked with vendors and REAP applicants directly • Basic financial model was 50% off services • Provided necessary upfront advice free of charge • USDA and Harvesting Clean Energy staff provided guidance through the process • Harvesting Clean Energy provided contracting and billing support

  11. Campaign 4 Business Development Analysis • E-Newables served as sub-consultant • Developed approach with USDA and Harvesting Clean Energy staff • Focused on equipment vendors, installers, and trade associations to build business network • Direct calls and emails were primary approach • Conferences & workshops were secondary approach

  12. REAP Project Development • Competitive Bidding Process • Trained Staff with Technical Expertise • Rural/Agriculture Business • Energy Efficiency • Renewable Energy • USGBC LEED • Engineering • Focus on REAP Program • Federal Regulatory Knowledge

  13. REAP Project Development • REAP Specific: • Funding Options • Application Strategies • Success Probability • Application Requirements and Checklists • Package Submittal • Follow Up

  14. Project Requirements • Eligible Applicant & Project • High Probability of Funding Success • Required Materials • Energy Bills • Project Bids • Feasibility Studies/Action Plans • Funding Match

  15. Approach • Initial contact with potential client or vendor • Determine project and client eligibility for program • Determine grant success probability and strategies for improving score • Advise client on options to move forward • Sign contract

  16. Approach cont. • Assist client with collection of necessary information from client and technology provider • Assist client to fill out all necessary forms and write project summary • Client provides signature on completed app • Deliver signed grant application to USDA • Follow up with applicant for finishing paperwork

  17. Pricing • Fee • Type of Project • Scope of Project • Starts at $300 • ALL Fees Half Off Initially during USDA RBEG Funding

  18. Program Achievements • Year 1: • Completed marketing outreach and business development analysis • Developed website and promotional materials for program • Three individuals attended USDA Technical Assistant training – one from E-Newables – Andy Olson • Formed E-Newables to assist with energy project development as sub-consultant to Harvesting Clean Energy

  19. Program Achievements • Year 1, continued: • Contacted over 32 potential clients, vendors, installers, partners, etc. • Assisted with 5 projects, 2 submitted • 100% of submitted projects funded • Total Project Amount: $90,372 • Total Grant Amount: $22,593

  20. Program Achievements • Year 2: • Contacted over 48 additional potential clients, vendors, installers, partners, etc. • Assisted with 15 projects, 11 submitted • 100% of submitted projects funded • Total Project Amount: $528,822 • Total Grant Amount: $133,508

  21. Next Steps • Year 3: • Continuing E-Newables as private entity without USDA or Harvesting Clean Energy support • One employee – Andy Olson • Expanding to other technical writing and environmental impact study opportunities • Employee participating in Farm Energy Audit Training through USDA funding to EnSave • Develop other funding sources

  22. Partnerships • USDA Rural Development • Resource & Conservation Districts • Harvesting Clean Energy • EnSave • Project Vendors • Trade Associations • Utilities

  23. Questions Andy Olson 208-867-3082 andyo@e-newables.com www.harvestcleanenergy.org

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