Rural Economic Action Plan Grants

The Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Grant Program is a point-based program designed to assist smaller communities that lack sufficient fiscal capacity. Priority is given to cities, towns, and municipalities with a population less than 1,750, school districts with less than 525 students, and rural water and/or sewer districts with less than 525 non-pasture taps.

Applications are accepted from July 1 through 5:00 p.m. on the first working day of September each year. The application period for SFY 2025 is closed.

Entities must have a population of 7,000 or less
Maximum of $150,000 per project per applicant during any fiscal year
No local match required

Counties, towns, and municipalities
Public works authorities
School districts
Districts formed under Title 82 of the State’s statutes as follows:
- Water conservancy districts
- Rural water districts
- Rural sewage districts
- Irrigation districts

Sewer line construction or repair and related storm or sanitary sewer projects
Water line construction or repair
Water treatment
Water acquisition
Distribution or recovery and related projects

Prepare supporting documentation:
- Trust indenture or organizational documents
- Authorizing resolution
- Rate ordinance or minutes
- Engineer's report & cost estimate
- Most recent audit or agreed upon procedures (must be less than two years old)
- Verification Form signed by the authorized signer and attorney
Complete the REAP Grant Application between July 1 and 5:00 p.m. on the first working day of September

Applications are ranked based on the following criteria:

Population (55 point maximum)
Water and sewer rates (13 point maximum)
Indebtedness per customer (10 point maximum)
Median household income (10 point maximum)
Applicant's ability to finance the project (12 point maximum)
Need/consent order (5 point maximum)
Amount of grant requested (5 point maximum)
Benefit to other systems (5 point maximum)
Fiscal sustainability (10 point maximum)
Previous grant assistance (points vary)

Applications receiving 40 or more points will be placed on a project priority list and ranked from highest to lowest priority based on total points. Applications are recommended for approval to the Board when all other funding sources are secured and adequate grant funds are available for obligation.