Rural Development gets $121 million for climate work; see what's going on in your state and how to apply for funds

The recently signed climate-and-tax bill has $121 million for the Agriculture Department to fight climate change; its Rural Development arm will use that to fund 289 projects in socially vulnerable rural communities in almost every state through grants and loans, according to a recent press release. 

The funds will be distributed through three programs designed to help rural people and businesses: Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Rural Energy for America Program — Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants, and Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Grants. Click on each to see eligibility requirements and information on how to apply for funding.

The money will fund projects of all sizes. Arthur, for example, a community of 206 in Iowa, will get a $2,100 grant to install an early-warning storm siren. The University of Alabama will get $100,000 to help farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses improve operations with renewable energy. In Kentucky, Appharvest will get a $25 million loan to buy energy-efficient equipment for one of its hydroponic greenhouses.

USDA Rural Development has a spreadsheet listing every project that received grants, including the amount of the grant, the recipient, and what the money will be used for. See the list here.