Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants
Who Qualifies and How to be Successful
Cindy Thyfault, President of Westar Trade Resources will present a Free Webinar to discuss the program and the following topics:
- Who is Eligible
- How to Apply
- Ways to be Successful
- Examples of Westar past Awardees
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), formerly section 9006 under the 2002 Farm Bill, provides grants and loan guarantees to rural small businesses and agricultural producers to purchase and install renewable energy generation systems, energy efficiency improvements, conduct feasibility studies and energy audits, and obtain renewable energy development assistance.
Webinar Series: Where's the Money?
Project Finance Strategies During Tough Times
Feel free to watch any or all of the webinar sessions exploring different strategies and avenues for project financing, including:
- Successful DOE and USDA grant submission techniques
- Leveraging assets to provide up to 100% project financing
- Leasing program for municipalities that can leverage ARRA funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
- The Government’s Role in Clean Energy Future
- Strategies for successfully obtaining USDA loan guarantees
Session #1: How to Write a Winning Grant Application
President Cindy Thyfault will discuss successful strategies for submitting DOE and USDA grants. Westar Trade Resources has successfully completed over $85 million in grants. Joining her on the panel will be representatives from our two most recent DOE awardees in August 2009, including Carol Wolfinger, East Penn Manufacturing Company ($32.5 million award) and Gary McChesney, FutureFuel Chemical Company ($12.5 million award).
Download the recorded Session 1 webinar here.
Session #2: Leveraging Hidden Assets to Provide Project Financing
Learn how to provide up to 100% project financing using a proprietary financing program offered by White Rock Advisors, LLC. This can be used as an external capita l source for both new and established companies, with terms more favorable than equity, bank and subordinated debt. Approximat ely $3 billion has been placed so far utilizing this program.
Speakers include:
Gregory W. Hext, Chairman and CEO of Chapman, Hext & Co.--34 years as a partner in Texas accounting firms, and Co-Founder of Chapman, Hext & Co in 1989. He assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Chapman, Hext in 2006 after serving for 16 years as the firm’s partner-in-charge of audit, consulting, and financial reporting. His depth of experience ranges from the origination to placement phases of corporate transactions, aligning the firm with a broad range of clients domestically and internationally. Greg also directs the activities of White Rock Advisors, Chapman, Hext & Co, North TX Investment Group, and White Rock Venture Fund.
Bernard V. Carrico, Jr., Senior Managing Director--40 years experience in creating shareholder value in both turnarounds and new ventures, 20 of which were in a “C” level position and 20 as an investment banker and founding general partner of two private equity firms. His experience traverses a number of verticals, including consumer products, distribution, retailing, business services and financial services. In June, 2007 Bernie joined Chapman Hext & Co., to build and grow its affiliate investment bank, White Rock Advisors LLC.
Cindy Thyfault, Managing Director--Cindy joined White Rock Advisors, LLC in October 2008 as a managing director focusing on the development and funding of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Download the recorded Session 2 webinar here.
Session #3: Financing to Leverage ARRA Funds for Municipalities
The ARRA Community Development Block Grant Program and the USDA ARRA Rural Community Facilities Program are both providing funding to municipalities to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements; however, these funds may not cover all of the funding required. Greg Hext, Bernie Carrico and Cindy Thyfault will discuss how the White Rock Advisors Municipal Leasing Program can be used to provide funding to leverage other source of funding to complete municipal projects.
Download the recorded Session 3 webinar here.
Session #4: Government's Role in the March Toward a Clean Energy Future
Learn valuable tips and strategies from Paul Dickerson, a recognized leader and sought-after speaker on issues of clean tech and energy efficiency, launched Haynes and Boone’s Clean Tech practice group in 2008. Paul, a partner who offices in the firm’s Houston and D.C. offices, returned to the firm to launch the group, a new concentration for the firm that builds upon the firm's broad experience in intellectual property, litigation, technology, financing and many other legal issues that companies in the nascent industry must face.
Paul served as Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) from 2006 until his return to Haynes and Boone (where he worked as an associate from 2000 to 2005). He oversaw the EERE’s $1.8 billion budget and helped move alternative and renewable energy technologies from the “vision” stage to real-world development.
Download the recorded Session 4 webinar here.
Session #5: How Can I Successfully Complete a USDA Loan Guarantee Award?
Chris Cassidy, Renewable Energy Advisor, US Dept. Agriculture, will be discussing USDA loan guarantee and grant programs, including the 9003 Bioenergy Loan Guarantee program and the 9007 REAP Program, and discussing key elements for a successful loan guarantee application.
Download the recorded Session 5 webinar here.
For more information, contact Westar Trade Resources at 214-320-0900 or sales@westartrade.com.