USDA Rural Development State Director for Hawaii and the Western Pacific Chris Kanazawa today announced $177,000 through five grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses.
“Building a stronger, rural America necessitates jobs and businesses in our small, local communities,” said Kanazawa. “These grants will not only help strengthen and diversify those communities affording some businesses capital they otherwise wouldn’t have access to, but also allow residents to receive more goods and services close to home stimulating their local economies.”
Funding for each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. Nationally, USDA awarded nearly $20 million through 385 grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses.
The Hawaiian grantees are:
•Big Island RC&D Council, $29,373, vehicles/equipment/machinery
•Pacific Gateway Center, $24,555, technical assistance
•The Kohala Center, Inc., $10,977, technical assistance
•New Moon Foundation, $48,095, technical assistance
The Western Pacific grantee is:
•Sokehs Municipal Government, $64,000, small business incubator
USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities.
USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant Program is one of several that support rural economic development. Since the start of the Obama administration, USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service has helped 85,000 rural businesses.
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.