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Fiscal Year 2016 Georgia Rural Business Development Grant Applications Due by March 11, 2016

Name
Beth Blevins
City
ATHENS
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Georgia State Director Quinton Robinson today announced that applications are being accepted for Fiscal Year 2016 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) funding.  The RBDG program is designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Applications are due to Area Offices by March 11, 2016.  The Georgia Rural Development Area Office directory is available online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/ga_rbdgdirectoryFy2016.pdf.

   Recently, the Agency celebrated the Fiscal Year 2015 RBDG awards with events and celebrations across the state. A list of Fiscal Year 2015 grant recipients is posted online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/ga_fy15RBDGlist.pdf . “Across Georgia, Fiscal Year 2015 RBDG funding advanced small business development in rural industries such as healthcare information technology, food processing, agri-tourism, e-commerce and net zero energy efficient home construction,” said Robinson.

   For example, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will use a Fiscal Year 2015 $60,000 RBDG award to purchase a pneumatic and hydraulic trainer that increases the experience of students who seek careers in automated manufacturing.  Pneumatics and hydraulics are widely used in factory automation for sorting and handling, food processing and other industries.  Rural small businesses rely on technically skilled professionals to maintain and repair pneumatic and hydraulic equipment and this grant will speed up the training process.

   From the rural tourism perspective, the City of Warm Springs received a $71,204 RBDG award in Fiscal Year 2015 to construct a downtown parking lot.  Parking has been limited and inconvenient for visitors and tourists.  The new approximately 16,000 sq. ft. parking lot will be able to accommodate large tourist busses. The Warm Springs parking lot will assist five restaurants and nineteen businesses by allowing the possibility of increased foot traffic.

   Rural public entities such as towns, state agencies, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education and federally-recognized tribes are eligible to apply. For more information, see http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants/ga .

   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.