U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and USDA Rural Development Â鶹ӳ» State Director Lucas Ingvoldstad announced in late July 2024 an , an industrial extension program of the Â鶹ӳ».
This Rural Development investment addresses a need in Â鶹ӳ» from rural small businesses and agricultural producers for technical assistance to successfully apply for federal REAP assistance necessary to fund the installation and implementation of renewable energy systems, as well as wind and geothermal energy being underutilized renewable energy technologies in Â鶹ӳ». With these funds, Manufacture Â鶹ӳ» will aim to connect and resolve these issues, assisting at least 13 agricultural producers or rural small businesses to apply for assistance under REAP for Energy Efficiency Improvements, or Renewable Energy Systems while informing them how to improve or deploy those improvements and systems, also increasing REAP awareness. 
This exciting USDA investment helps continue promoting and supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers in Â鶹ӳ».