Agriculture and Rural Businesses Energy Incentive Program FY25

Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Grant Application

Program Summary
The Agriculture and Rural Businesses Energy Incentive Program offers matching grants to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy on farms, agriculture-related entities, and rural businesses. This grant opportunity will support increased resilience and stability of agricultural, agriculture-related, and rural businesses in Michigan through energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, and other innovative projects.

See the program Request for Proposals (RFP) and website for additional information, including areas of interest and program priorities.

Eligibility Requirements
- Any agricultural, or related, entity (farm, crop processing, food processing, etc.) with less than 500 employees worldwide and physically located in Michigan is eligible to apply.

- Also eligible are small businesses (non-manufacturing) with less than 500 employees worldwide and physically located in rural Michigan as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business, Property Eligibility Map for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

- Projects must address one or more program objectives and one or more program priorities listed under Section I-B of the RFP.

Funding Amount
Grant awards are expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000 per applicant. Project funding will be limited at 50% of the total project cost. Awards will be given on a first come, first served basis until funding is depleted, at the discretion of EGLE Energy Services and according to program priorities listed in the RFP.

Award Process
Submitted applications will go through an evaluation and risk assessment. Selected applicants will be sent a grant agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the award. (See the Sample Grant Agreement.) EGLE WILL NOT FUND ANY PROJECT WORK THAT HAS STARTED BEFORE A GRANT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN MADE AND EXECUTED.

Filling out the Application
Since this application cannot be saved part-way through, a good strategy is to copy all the questions into a Word document. Type out all the longer, paragraph-format answers in your Word document, and prepare all the files you need to upload. Refer to the RFP for guidance. Then copy and paste your answers and upload your files when you are ready to complete and submit the application.

Question Title

* 1. Company Information

Company Name *

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City/Town *

State *

ZIP/Postal Code *

County *

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* 2. Contact Information - Project Manager
Questions about this application will be directed to the the project manager.

Name *

Title *

Company *

Email Address *

Phone Number *

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* 3. Authorized Signer / Negotiator Contact Information - If different than the Project Manager
(Who has authority to sign a grant agreement for the company?)

Name

Title

Email Address

Phone Number

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* 4. Company Identifying Information

Federal ID (EIN) #

Unique Entity ID # (Required for Federal Awards) To register, go to SAM.gov

State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service ID # (Begins With "CV" or "VS") Register

Company Website (enter NA if there is no website)

Number of Employees Worldwide

Independently Owned and Operated? (Y/N)

Electric Utility Provider

Natural Gas / Propane / Other Provider

Minority, Woman, or Veteran Owned?

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* 5. Organization Type

Agriculture or agriculture-related business entity located in Michigan

Rural small business - must be located in a "rural" area as defined by the as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business, Property Eligibility Map for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

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* 6. Short Description of the company/entity or farm

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* 7. Project Timeline and Location

Anticipated Start Date

Anticipated End Date

Impacted Facility Address (if different than above)

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* 8. Requested award amount (maximum is $50,000 or 50% of total project cost, whichever is less).

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* 9. Briefly describe the energy challenge(s) and explain the need for the proposed project.

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* 10. Provide a concise overview of the proposed project
Explain what the project is, and discuss which specific Program Objectives and Program Priorities are incorporated (see RFP Section I-B). Discuss how this project addresses those objectives and priorities.

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* 11. Has the applicant conducted any previous energy management work (e.g., energy plans, benchmarks, audits, projects, etc.)?

Yes

If yes, please describe the previous energy management work here, and upload any relevant documents below.

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* 12. Discuss the potential for this project to be replicated at other farms or small businesses across Michigan.

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* 13. Estimated Onsite Project Impacts
If you used a spreadsheet for calculations, please email it to OwensC9@michigan.gov

Number of Buildings Benchmarked

Number of Buildings Audited

Number and Type of Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Number and Type of Renewable Energy Projects

Total Square footage of Building(s) Affected (sq ft)

Annual Cost Savings ($/year)

Annual Electricity Savings (kWh/year)

Annual Natural Gas Savings (ccf/year)

Other Impacts (e.g. water savings, labor reduction, safety improvements, enhanced production, etc.)

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* 14. Other Financial Assistance

Will grants, utility rebates or other financial assistance be applied to this project? If yes, then please explain.

Funding can not be used as match funding for other federally funded programs (e.g. USDA REAP)

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* 15. Has the applicant received $750,000 or more in federal awards during their current fiscal year?

Yes

If yes, please list the federal awards here, and upload the most recent copy of the applicant's A-133 audit as additional supporting documentation below.

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* 16. Does the applicant have any pending litigation or existing legal obligations which may impact their ability to perform the proposed project?

Yes

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* 17. Workplan and Timeline (Required)
Submit a workplan that details key project tasks to be completed, the estimated start date of each task, and date of completion for each task. Be sure to include tasks given in Section I-B(3) of the RFP.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

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* 18. Approved Budget Form (Required) To download, click HERE
Please complete and upload the Approved Budget Form. (Upload PDF here and send Excel spreadsheet of budget to OwensC9@michigan.gov)

PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, JPEG file types only.

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* 19. Price Estimates / Quotes for Proposed Project (Optional)

Limit is one file / attachment only (15MB max)

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.

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* 20. Energy Management Docs (If Applicable)
Please upload any documents related to previous energy management work (e.g. energy plans, benchmarks, audits, or other previous energy projects)

Limit is one file / attachment only (15MB max)

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.

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* 21. Certificate of Indirect Costs (If Applicable) To download, click HERE
Please complete and upload the Certificate of Indirect Costs if the applicant is using an indirect cost rate in their budget.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, JPEG file types only.

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* 22. State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Review Form (If Applicable) To download, click HERE

If the applicant is conducting work on a building(s) that is/are at least fifty years of age or older, or conducting ground-disturbing activity around such a building, please complete and upload the State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Review Form.

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.

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* 23. National Environmental Policy Act Form (If Applicable) To download, click HERE
To check applicability, click HERE

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.

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* 24. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

Limit is one file / attachment only (15MB max)

PDF, DOCX, DOC file types only.

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* 25. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

Limit is one file / attachment only (15MB max)

PDF, DOCX, DOC file types only.

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* 26. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

Limit is one file / attachment only (15MB max)

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.

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* 27. Assurances

Applicant certifies they are authorized to negotiate and bind Applicant company to the provisions listed in this application.

Applicant understands that this application is not a guarantee of funding. Funding is subject to availability on a first come, first served basis.

Applicant understands EGLE Energy Services reserves the right to issue awards / award amounts reflecting program priorities and issue news releases of awards made.

Applicant understands that they will be notified of the funding decision by email. Funds will be dispersed only on a reimbursement basis.

Applicant understands should the company be awarded funding, a grant agreement will be sent to them for signature, and the company must be registered as a vendor with the State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) to receive reimbursement.

Applicant understands that project(s) must be complete by August 31, 2025 (unless otherwise approved). Applicant agrees to submit a payment request within 30 days of project completion, that includes proper backup documentation, and includes a final report of the completed project.

Applicant agrees to report project outcomes and complete annual follow-up impact surveys. Applicant agrees to work with EGLE to prepare an EGLE news release on project success, and to schedule a project site visit with EGLE Energy Services staff.

Applicant agrees that all work will be performed following all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations, as well as local ordinances.

Applicant understands EGLE Energy Services reserves the right to contact Applicant for additional information.

By submitting this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I will also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.

Question Title

* 1. Company Information

Question Title

* 2. Contact Information - Project ManagerQuestions about this application will be directed to the the project manager.

Question Title

* 3. Authorized Signer / Negotiator Contact Information - If different than the Project Manager(Who has authority to sign a grant agreement for the company?)

Question Title

* 4. Company Identifying Information

Question Title

* 5. Organization Type

Question Title

* 6. Short Description of the company/entity or farm

Question Title

* 7. Project Timeline and Location

Question Title

* 8. Requested award amount (maximum is $50,000 or 50% of total project cost, whichever is less).

Question Title

* 9. Briefly describe the energy challenge(s) and explain the need for the proposed project.

Question Title

* 10. Provide a concise overview of the proposed projectExplain what the project is, and discuss which specific Program Objectives and Program Priorities are incorporated (see RFP Section I-B). Discuss how this project addresses those objectives and priorities.

Question Title

* 11. Has the applicant conducted any previous energy management work (e.g., energy plans, benchmarks, audits, projects, etc.)?

Question Title

* 12. Discuss the potential for this project to be replicated at other farms or small businesses across Michigan.

Question Title

* 13. Estimated Onsite Project Impacts If you used a spreadsheet for calculations, please email it to OwensC9@michigan.gov

Question Title

* 14. Other Financial Assistance Will grants, utility rebates or other financial assistance be applied to this project? If yes, then please explain. Funding can not be used as match funding for other federally funded programs (e.g. USDA REAP)

Question Title

* 15. Has the applicant received $750,000 or more in federal awards during their current fiscal year?

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* 16. Does the applicant have any pending litigation or existing legal obligations which may impact their ability to perform the proposed project?

Question Title

* 17. Workplan and Timeline (Required)Submit a workplan that details key project tasks to be completed, the estimated start date of each task, and date of completion for each task. Be sure to include tasks given in Section I-B(3) of the RFP.

Question Title

* 18. Approved Budget Form (Required) To download, click HEREPlease complete and upload the Approved Budget Form. (Upload PDF here and send Excel spreadsheet of budget to OwensC9@michigan.gov)

Question Title

* 19. Price Estimates / Quotes for Proposed Project (Optional)

Question Title

* 20. Energy Management Docs (If Applicable)Please upload any documents related to previous energy management work (e.g. energy plans, benchmarks, audits, or other previous energy projects)

Question Title

* 21. Certificate of Indirect Costs (If Applicable) To download, click HEREPlease complete and upload the Certificate of Indirect Costs if the applicant is using an indirect cost rate in their budget.

Question Title

* 22. State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Review Form (If Applicable) To download, click HERE

Question Title

* 23. National Environmental Policy Act Form (If Applicable) To download, click HERETo check applicability, click HERE

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* 24. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

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* 25. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

Question Title

* 26. Attach any additional supporting documentation (if needed)

Question Title

* 27. Assurances

* 2. Contact Information - Project Manager
Questions about this application will be directed to the the project manager.

* 3. Authorized Signer / Negotiator Contact Information - If different than the Project Manager
(Who has authority to sign a grant agreement for the company?)

* 10. Provide a concise overview of the proposed project
Explain what the project is, and discuss which specific Program Objectives and Program Priorities are incorporated (see RFP Section I-B). Discuss how this project addresses those objectives and priorities.

* 13. Estimated Onsite Project Impacts
If you used a spreadsheet for calculations, please email it to OwensC9@michigan.gov

* 14. Other Financial Assistance

Will grants, utility rebates or other financial assistance be applied to this project? If yes, then please explain.

Funding can not be used as match funding for other federally funded programs (e.g. USDA REAP)

* 17. Workplan and Timeline (Required)
Submit a workplan that details key project tasks to be completed, the estimated start date of each task, and date of completion for each task. Be sure to include tasks given in Section I-B(3) of the RFP.

* 18. Approved Budget Form (Required) To download, click HERE
Please complete and upload the Approved Budget Form. (Upload PDF here and send Excel spreadsheet of budget to OwensC9@michigan.gov)

* 20. Energy Management Docs (If Applicable)
Please upload any documents related to previous energy management work (e.g. energy plans, benchmarks, audits, or other previous energy projects)

* 21. Certificate of Indirect Costs (If Applicable) To download, click HERE
Please complete and upload the Certificate of Indirect Costs if the applicant is using an indirect cost rate in their budget.

* 23. National Environmental Policy Act Form (If Applicable) To download, click HERE
To check applicability, click HERE