Crapo, Agencies Co-sponsor Workshops On Fire Plan Contracts, Energy Grants

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Idaho Department of Commerce are sponsoring workshops to help Idaho businesses bid on fuel reduction contracts offered by the BLM and US Forest Service as part of the National Fire Plan. The federal agencies anticipate awarding multiple contracts in several states aimed at reducing the risk of fires by reducing fuels in the forest. Many of the applications must be in by the end of May and staff from Crapoâ??s office and the Idaho Department of Commerce will join with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to assist applicants and other interested parties at the workshops at no charge. The next meetings are planned in Idaho Falls and Coeur dâ??Alene.Crapoâ??s offices, USDA Rural Development, NRCS, the Idaho Energy Division, and the Idaho Small Business Center are also joining to present a discussion in Twin Falls May 1st on federal grants that are available for renewable energy systems, energy system improvements, and business assistance grants. Those grants carry a June 6th application deadline.The workshops are planned as follows:Twin FallsThursday, May 1Renewable Energy Grants Workshop1:00-4:00 p.m., CSI Shields Building, Room 115Coeur dâ??AleneThursday, May 1Fire Plan Fuels Reduction Contracts Workshop 9:00 a.m.-Noon, Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisorâ??s Office, 3815 Schrieber WayIdaho FallsTuesday, May 6Fire Plan Fuels Reduction Contracts Workshop6:00-8:00 p.m., Red Lion Motel, Idaho Falls, # # #