Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) has been awarded $2.5M in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Local Government Energy Program’s Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) funding opportunity. The funds will provide inclusive clean energy financing to four projects in rural central Minnesota, including a school solar project and a tribal electric vehicle project, and fill a financing gap for rural communities through lending options for the private sector.
“We are excited about the ability this award gives us to regrant funds to communities that have worked through energy and environment plans with us, and to offer lending to private sector companies to implement clean energy projects,” stated R5DC Executive Director Cheryal Hills. “This will transform rural clean energy financing in our region, providing customized capital solutions and technical assistance to empower communities, schools, and businesses in their journey toward a sustainable, resilient future.”
Subrecipient organizations include Little Falls Schools, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Division of Resource Management, City of Motley, and Sebeka Public Schools.
C-SITE is a new annual program from DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy programs aimed at supporting tribal and local governments representing small to medium-sized jurisdictions, energy communities, and disadvantaged communities to implement clean energy projects that spark investments and community benefits. Learn more about the other DOE selectees here: https://www.energy.gov/scep/local-government-energy-program