STAPLES — Region Five Development Commission was awarded $2.5 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Local Government Energy Program’s Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy 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 Region Five Executive Director Cheryal Hills, in a news release. “This will transform rural clean energy financing in our region, providing customized capital solutions…
