Finance up to 80% of
Eligible Project Costs
$2 Million - $25 Million
Loan Amounts
USDA-Backed
Loan Program
Some forms of renewable energy are straight forward. The sun emits heat; the wind, force. But others produce power in non-obvious ways. Consider sewage. Animal manure, sewage sludge, and food scraps are more powerful than one might think. When such discarded materials degrade, they put off gases that can be captured and used as fuel. This process, known as anaerobic digestion, can be captured in a facility called an anaerobic digester.
Inside its oxygen-free environment, biogas is created as materials break down, leaving methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in their wake. After carbon dioxide is removed, methane—the main ingredient in natural gas—remains. Its impact? Sustainable food production, farm-community relationships, rural economic growth, new jobs, diversied farm revenue, and energy independence. Translation: nothing wasted.
According to historians, the potential of anaerobic digestion was discovered in the 17th century when Jan Baptita van Helmont noticed that decaying organic matter could produce ammable gasses. Anaerobic digestion facilities, on the other hand, are a more recent invention. Most common to livestock farms, some European facilities have been in operation for 20 or so years, while American facilities are just gaining ground. Many farmers are discovering the value of adding an anaerobic digester to current standing farms/cattle yards in order to diversify farm revenue.
If an anaerobic digester is installed in a rural location, it can benefit from special financing from the USDA. The government agency more commonly known for its service to agriculture also backs a government-guaranteed lending program specifically for rural energy projects – no agricultural component required. The USDA-backed loans range from $2 million to $25 million.
Anaerobic digester financing from NAC harnesses a government guaranteed lending program called USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The competitive financing offers funding for projects that traditional banks often decline
USDA REAP loans can be used to purchase renewable energy systems like building an anaerobic digester or making energy-efficiency improvements.
Agricultural producers or small businesses with no outstanding deliquent federal taxes, debt, judgement, or debarment.
Biomass
Geothermal
Hydropower
Hydrogen
Wind
Generation
Solar Generation
Ocean
Generation
HVAC
Insulation
Lighting
Cooling & Refrigeration
Doors &
Windows
Pumps for
Sprinkler Pivots
Diesel to Electric
Irrigation Motor
ABOUT NAC
The NAC team is comprised of savvy investors, experienced bankers, and creative marketers. Each brings a unique perspective to the table, empowering NAC to view each loan from multiple angles. We operate as a unied front, working in tandem to offer our customers true partnership from engagement to close. For a true partner in securing funding for a anaerobic digester project, Look North.
Our customers are often surprised to hear that we only lend to rural businesses — and even more surprised to discover they’ve actually been operating one. 97% of the geographic USA is considered rural. Find out if your address qualifies in 10 seconds.