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USDA Announces Grant to Support Small Business Development in Klamath and Lake Counties

Name
Erin McDuff
City
Klamath Falls
Release Date

The South Central Oregon Economic Development District (SCOEDD) is establishing a Small Business Management Program to provide training to rural entrepreneurs and small businesses in Klamath and Lake counties with the help of a $21,125 grant from USDA Rural Development, as well as state and local funding, announced Rural Development State Director Vicki Walker during a visit today to Klamath Falls. This program will foster a heightened focus on creating jobs locally, retaining local talent and jobs, and growing existing businesses within the region.

The Klamath and Lake region continues to experience high unemployment rates and struggles to attract and retain new jobs, even as the overall Oregon and national economies improve, leading the State of Oregon to designate the region as one of the highest distressed areas in the state. Currently, the assistance and resources available to new and expanding local businesses are spread among various agencies and community partners in many different locations. This project will bring those resources together, making it much easier for an entrepreneur or existing business to access the resources they need to be successful.

“The South Central Oregon Economic Development District is proactively working to foster an environment of entrepreneurship that will create opportunity and wealth in the region,” said Walker. “By providing critically needed business training, SCOEDD will help to retain and expand employment opportunities, improving the local economy.”

This funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program and is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement. Congress established the RBDG Program under the 2014 Farm Bill. The new program combines USDA’s former Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) programs. Like its predecessors, the new program is designed to assist with the startup or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural communities. 

With the funding provided under today’s announcement, SCOEDD will offer a small business management curriculum covering topics ranging from business operations and finance to marketing and management. The program includes 30 hours of classroom education, as well as one-on-one counseling, access to market research, and networking opportunities. Today’s funding will allow an estimated eight commercial businesses to participate in the year-long course. Already, four businesses have expressed interest in the program, including a nursery, brewery, reclaimed lumber and furniture business, and an equipment rental company. By working with a minimum of eight clients per year, SCOEDD anticipates the creation of 40 new jobs over the next three years, setting the foundation for sustainable economic development in the region.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses, and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way—strengthening America's economy, small towns, and rural communities.