A free April 19 workshop will provide information to rural small-business owners, farmers and ranchers on how to apply for federal guaranteed loans and grants to fund renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development and Maui Electric Co. will host the event at 10 a.m. at MECO's auditorium at 210 W. Kamehameha St.

Projects may include replacing lighting or refrigeration motors with more efficient equipment; installing solar, bioenergy, hydrogen or wind energy systems; and building a more energy-efficient facility.

For additional details, call Tim O'Connell at 933-8313.