USDA Announces Rural Business Development Grants

Pete CodellaBroadband

2000px-USDA_logo_svgRecently, the United States Department of Agriculture consolidated the Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) into a new Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. Applications are due July 6th.

Eligible applicants include rural public entities such as, but not limited to:

  • Towns
  • Communities
  • State agencies
  • Authorities
  • Nonprofit Corporations
  • Institutions of Higher Education
  • Federally-recognized Tribes
  • Rural Cooperatives

RBDG funds must be directed for projects benefitting rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more.

Enterprise type grant funds must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging  businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.  Uses may include:

  • Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling/training, market research, feasibility studies, professional/technical reports, or product/service improvements
  • Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation, of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities
  • Pollution control and abatement
  • Capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital
  • Distance adult learning for job training and advancement
  • Rural transportation improvement
  • Community economic development
  • Technology-based economic development
  • Feasibility studies and business plans
  • Leadership and entrepreneur training
  • Rural business incubators
  • Long-term business strategic planning

Opportunity type grant funding must be used for projects in rural areas and they can be used for:

  • Community economic development
  • Technology-based economic development
  • Feasibility studies and business plans
  • Leadership and entrepreneur training
  • Rural business incubators
  • Long-term business strategic planning

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