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USDA Awards Funding to Help Socially Disadvantaged Rural Businesses in Minnesota

Name
Nikki Gillespie
City
ST. PAUL
Release Date

USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today awarded 2 grants to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas.

   “Small and midsized producers are a vital part of Minnesota’s agricultural future, and this funding will provide technical assistance to help socially disadvantaged businesses succeed,” Landkamer said. “It will support rural communities by giving underserved business owners and entrepreneurs access to resources they need to start businesses or make their operations more successful.”

   USDA is making the grants available through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) Program (formerly the Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program). This program supports technical assistance such as feasibility studies, leadership and training, and the development of business and strategic plans.

   The Latino Economic Development Center has been selected to receive a $175,000 grant to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged Hmong & Latino farmers and cooperatives of farmers. Training will include value-added topics, feasibility analysis, strategic planning, market evaluation, and business planning.  

   Northcountry Cooperative Foundation is receiving a $175,000 grant to provide technical assistance to three socially disadvantaged cooperatives. The technical assistance will help improve their water and sewer system operations to housing cooperative members; evaluate the current storm shelter to maximize access and value to the community; and conduct a feasibility study on reducing electric utility costs for cooperative members through development of a community solar array.

   Nationwide, USDA is investing nearly $3 million to help 19 businesses in 14 states through the SDGG program. Since 2009, USDA has awarded seven Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants, throughout rural Minnesota, totaling nearly $1 million.

   For more information on the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) Program or other USDA programs, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn and call your local area office.