Associated Press: https://apnews.com/press-release/ein-presswire-newsmatics/donald-trump-donald-trump-es-julio-ramirez-altshift-brooke-rollins-small-business-179f53300eb90645d3ad38408ca670cc
ABC: https://week.marketminute.com/article/247pressrelease-2025-3-1-the-current-grant-freeze-inadvertently-betrays-rural-america
FOX: https://www.wicz.com/story/52481864/the-current-grant-freeze-inadvertently-betrays-rural-america
CBS: https://pr.cbslakecharles.tv/article/The-Current-Grant-Freeze-Inadvertently-Betrays-Rural-America?storyId=67c2c51fc5341d000846b0a4
NBC: https://fwnbc.marketminute.com/article/247pressrelease-2025-3-1-the-current-grant-freeze-inadvertently-betrays-rural-america
Article Summary
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a bipartisan initiative designed to assist rural businesses and farmers in adopting renewable energy and energy efficiency, remains frozen under the federal grant suspension. Established in the early 2000s and strengthened in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, REAP provides 25% or 50% funding for projects such as solar installations and grain dryers, which are critical to rural economies. While many federal grants have resumed, rural business owners are still waiting for the funding they were promised.
Justin Barnhart, founder of All State Strategies LLC, an Ohio-based Republican consulting firm, has seen firsthand the devastating effects of the freeze. Barnhart, a trusted GOP strategist and Trump’s 2016 County Chairman, transitioned part of his business to writing REAP grant applications in 2023. Since then, his firm has successfully prepared 180 grant applications, yet none have been reimbursed due to the freeze, leaving rural business owners in financial distress.
Barnhart emphasizes that 98% of his clients voted for Trump, making the stalled funding even more frustrating for those who expected the administration to support rural development. These businesses have signed contracts with suppliers, who have already purchased solar panels and grain dryers. Some installers, anticipating price increases from new tariffs, made early purchases—only to be left in a financial bind.
“This is a gut punch to many hardworking business owners,” Barnhart stated. “Our clients support right-sizing government, but they never expected to become collateral damage.”
The economic impact is growing, with many affected businesses wondering why other programs are moving forward while REAP remains in limbo. Barnhart remains hopeful that newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will assess the program and push for the funds to be released. However, with businesses struggling and time running out, frustration is mounting.
“This isn’t the Green New Deal—this is about conservative rural business owners investing in their operations as promised,” Barnhart emphasized. “We’re telling our clients this is temporary, but they are growing impatient waiting for action.”
With hundreds of businesses at risk, farmers, small business owners, and Republican leaders are demanding action. They stood by their government—now they want their government to stand by them.