The director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s community and economic development will lead a workshop on grants for renewable-energy systems June 10 at the La Plata Electric Association.

The free workshop, led by Pattie Snidow, promotes the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. It is geared toward small-business owners and agriculturalists who want to invest in energy efficiency and who are looking for additional funding.

Reservations are required.

The deadline for applying for funding in the 2014 cycle is July 7, said Sue Maxwell, an LPEA project specialist. The grants can provide up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, she said.

Grants are supposed to encourage the installation of commercially available renewable-energy products on buildings or energy-efficient improvements to a manufacturing process or equipment.

Eligible applicants are those considered small businesses by the Small Business Administration or agricultural producers.

Businesses within city limits must be in cities with populations of fewer than 50,000 as of the 2000 census,

Maxwell said renewable-energy contractors could find the workshop valuable because they’re liable to have a role if business or agricultural interests win a grant.

daler@durangoherald.com

If you go

A workshop sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on applying for renewable-energy grants for a business or farm is scheduled from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on June 10 at the La Plata Electric Association, 45 Stewart, in Durango.

The workshop is free, but reservations are required.

Information or registration is available through Sue Maxwell at 247-5786 or at www.lpea.coop.