Rural Communities Opportunity Grant

Grant Opens: Sept. 14, 2026
Closes: October 30, 2026

Annual Reporting Period: May 15-Aug. 1, 2026

RCOG Intent-to-Apply is Now Open

Open: July 1-Sept. 1, 2026

The Intent to Apply/Pre-application will open grant proposal assistance and grant-writing consultations from GOED for eligible applicants who intend to apply for the grant.

See Information and Instructions below in the Resources section.

What is the RCOG?

The Rural Communities Opportunity Grant (RCOG) empowers rural communities to take responsibility for economic development planning, projects, and activities, and to manage their unique opportunities. The grant addresses the economic development needs of rural communities, which include:

Business recruitment, development, and expansion
Workforce training and development
Infrastructure, industrial building development, and capital facilities improvements for business development

Eligibility

Eligible rural communities are encouraged to apply for the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant (RCOG).

Eligible rural communities include:

Counties of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth class
Cities, towns, and metro townships located within those counties
Municipalities with a population of 10,000 or less in counties of the second class
Associations of Governments

Competitive Application

The RCOG is competitive and requires a funding match based on the community’s population. Applications are scored based on their quality, proposed budget, economic development projects and activities descriptions, and the purposes, goals, and measurable outcomes related to improving the community’s overall economy. Applicants are required to justify the economic development need for the grant and the amount of funding requested. Matching funds will also be required.

Apply Here