Rbcs reap IRA tech assist grants

The Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) awarded a $499,363 Project Grant under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to the Center for EcoTechnology Inc. (CET), doing business as Ecobuilding Bargains. The grant will fund a 2-year project (Sep 2023 - Sep 2025) to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Massachusetts for implementing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.

CET, a nonprofit organization, will offer practical solutions to increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and promote environmental sustainability. Services include conducting wasted food audits, offering hauler trainings, facilitating partnerships for food recovery, providing onsite technical assistance to reduce and recover wasted food, and performing in-home environmental assessments. This project builds on CET's previous federal grant awards from agencies such as the EPA and USDA to support sustainable materials management initiatives.