Ep. 04 - The USDA Solar Sunset Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
For years, the playbook for rural investors was simple: lease land to solar farms and collect "mailbox money" subsidized by the government. But what happens when an executive order abruptly ends the era of easy money? The "Solar Sunset" is drying up incentives and leaving landowners wondering where to turn next. The "Pick Up" In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the quiet crisis brewing in rural America with two industry veterans: John Molinaro: Co-Founder of RES Associates...
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Ep. 03 - The FinCEN Freakout Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
March 1, 2026, is approaching fast, and for settlement agents, it brings a massive regulatory shift. The new FinCEN rule for residential real estate transfers demands collecting 111 data points on specific non-financed transactions. Many professionals worry this requirement will overwhelm their current workflows, disrupt closings, and force uncomfortable conversations with clients about their private data. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the "FinCEN Freakout" with two industry veterans: Angela Saiz: SVP of Fiduciary Banking at...
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Ep. 02 - The GovCon Squeeze Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
Why are thousands of small government contractors suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the "Best Price, Best Quality" equation? For years, provisions like the "Rule of Two" and specific set-asides protected small disadvantaged businesses, ensuring they had a seat at the federal table. But a new Executive Order and sweeping updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) are stripping away these protections. With sole-source awards vanishing and major prime contractors now competing for smaller slices of the pie, small firms are facing a regulatory "sea change" that threatens...
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Ep. 01 - The Community Blacklist Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
Why are countless condo associations suddenly being "blacklisted" by insurance and mortgage lenders? For decades, many boards have voted to waive funding their reserves to keep monthly fees low, creating a "pay-it-later" culture. Now, a perfect storm of aging buildings, rising post-Surfside legislation, and sky-high insurance costs is creating a financial crisis. This "community blacklist" means residents can't sell or refinance, and board members are left wondering how to pay for millions in mandatory repairs. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call"...
info_outlineFor years, the playbook for rural investors was simple: lease land to solar farms and collect "mailbox money" subsidized by the government. But what happens when an executive order abruptly ends the era of easy money? The "Solar Sunset" is drying up incentives and leaving landowners wondering where to turn next.
The "Pick Up"
In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the quiet crisis brewing in rural America with two industry veterans:
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John Molinaro: Co-Founder of RES Associates and a career rural economic expert who helped add 30,000 jobs and double regional wages in Western Minnesota, and has since secured over $6 billion in investment for Appalachia.
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Riddick Skinner: SVP of Government Guaranteed Lending at Capital Bank.
The Solution
They unpack why the end of solar incentives is actually the catalyst for a massive opportunity in rural re-industrialization. The experts debunk the "cows and plows" myth, explaining how the USDA—actually the largest civilian department in the U.S. government—funds everything from manufacturing to hotels. They reveal how investors can pivot from passive leasing to active business ownership in surprising locations across all 50 states, including "donut holes" in places like Long Island and Los Angeles County.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
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The Solar Sunset: Why the REAP program is effectively ending and what it means for rural revenue streams.
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Debunking "Cows & Plows": Understanding the USDA's role as a business lender for hotels, factories, and main street businesses, not just farms.
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Total Landed Cost: How energy prices have shifted to make American manufacturing mathematically cheaper than overseas options.
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All 50 States: Identifying the "Donut Holes" where USDA financing is available in unexpected areas like Long Island and LA County.
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The Hidden Workforce: Debunking the labor shortage myth by identifying the 25% of rural residents currently commuting to metro areas.
About Pick Up! Pick Up!:
"Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions. New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps.
Connect with Capital Bank:
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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Capital Bank, any agency, organization, employer, or company. This podcast is for general information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always seek the advice of your own qualified professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.