Tri-County News

USDA seeks applications to support rural businesses and create jobs


More than $28 million expected under new rural business development grant program created under the 2014 Farm Bill

USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer announced April 1, that USDA is seeking applications for grants to support rural businesses and help create jobs.

?ÄúThis USDA funding will ensure continued investments in rural businesses,?Äù Landkamer said. ?ÄúToo often, rural businesses and the communities they serve lack access to the capital and resources they need to grow and thrive. These grants will help remedy that and allow rural small businesses throughout Minnesota the chance to share in the nation?Äôs economic recovery.?Äù

More than $28 million is expected to be available under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Eligible applicants include public bodies, government entities, Indian tribes and non-profit organizations.

Congress established the RBDG program under the 2014 Farm Bill by combining USDA?Äôs Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) programs. The new program, like its predecessors, is designed to assist the startup or expansion of small and emerging private businesses and/or non-profits in rural communities.

RBDG grants can be used to acquire or develop land, buildings, plants and equipment; build or improve access roads, parking areas, utility extensions, and water and waste disposal facilities; provide technical assistance; establish revolving loan funds; and to support rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job training. There are no substantive programmatic or operational changes to the RBEG and RBOG programs as a result of this consolidation.

Grants made before the implementation of the RBDG program will continue to be governed by the terms of the applicable RBOG and RBEG regulations in effect at the time the grants were made.

For additional information on how to apply, contact your local Area Specialist, the Minnesota State Office at (651) 602-7800, or see Page 15665 of the March 25 Federal Register.

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $192 million in more than 1,097 rural small businesses and $5.8 billion in rural communities throughout Minnesota.

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