This is a great opportunity for people looking to develop businesses around aeroponic growing and vertical farming. According to the grant guidelines, rural businesses can apply for  grants of up to $500,000 and loan guarantees up to $25,000,000.

Eligible Project Costs
The following items are considered to be eligible project costs as long as these costs are an integral part of the renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement:
1) Post-application purchase and installation of equipment.(new or refurbished/remanufactured)
2) Post-application construction or improvements.
3) Energy audits or assessments.
4) Permit and license fees.
5) Professional service fees, except for application preparation.
6) Feasibility studies and technical reports.
7) Business plans.
8) Retrofitting.
9) Construction of a new energy efficient facility only when the facility is used for the same purpose, is approximately the same size and based upon the energy audit will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility. Only costs identified in the energy audit for energy efficiency improvement are allowed.

Your small business has to be in a rural area with a population of less than 50,000 (you can check whether you are eligible here).

To see the full brochure click here for the grant program and here for the loan program.