U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced $223,586 in grants to help cooperatives and microentrepreneurs in rural Kentucky.
“Our Rural Business programs play an important role in driving economic development and job growth in rural Kentucky,” said Carew. “Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, we’re committed to helping expand jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. The partnerships announced today will undoubtedly help rural business owners and entrepreneurs build a better, brighter future for rural Kentucky.”
The Kentucky Center For Agriculture and Rural Development will use a $200,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant to promote new cooperatives and continue to improve existing cooperatives and agribusinesses. The project will serve all of rural Kentucky and is expected to result in 52 jobs being created while saving 194.
Community Ventures Corporation will use a $23,586 Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program grant to provide education, guidance and instruction to rural microentrepreneurs. This effort will help prepare them for self-employment, to improve the state of their rural microenterprise, to increase their capacity in specific technical aspect of the subject business, and to assist the rural microentrepreneurs in achieving a degree of business preparedness.
In fiscal year 2022, Rural Development Kentucky invested almost $196.7 million to help businesses and cooperatives improve the economy across the commonwealth.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.