Rural Business Development Grant
(Formerly Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunities Grant (RBOG)
Applications Requested
NEW HAMPSHIRE APPLICATIONS DUE: Friday May 1, 2015
Application Cycle Open: USDA Rural Development invites applications to compete for FY15 funding for the Rural Business Development Grant program.
Eligible applicants for grant funds include non-profits, municipalities, development corporations, and state agencies.
Rural Business Development Grant Program (RDBG) has consolidated both the Rural Business Enterprise and Rural Business Opportunities grant programs into one grant program. Please indicate which project type you are applying for (see below).
- Rural Business Enterprise Activities: Technical assistance (i.e. feasibility studies, marketing plans) and equipment purchases (grantee must retain ownership) are encouraged (i.e. shared biz incubator equipment). Projects involving construction or revolving loan funds are discouraged due to limited funds allocated.
- Rural Business Opportunity Activities: Promote sustainable economic development in rural communities, economic planning for rural communities, provide technical assistance to rural businesses, provide training for rural entrepreneurs, or comprehensive area wide planning.
Please note: Funding for RBOG like activities has been limited to 10% of available funds. Please contact Rural Development if you are seeking funds for an RBOG like activity.
Agency Initiative: Nearly all business sectors can be assisted with the program. However, USDA-RD is placing specific emphasis on the following business sectors in 2015.
- Projects that support the USDA’s bio economy initiative
- Projects that impact locally produced / locally manufactured food networks and/or distribution systems.
- Projects located in USDA’s targeted high poverty areas in support of USDA’s poverty funding initiative
Pre-Screen: Please call Susan Poland at (802) 828-6002 to pre-screen your project. We highly encourage pre-screening prior to application submission. We encourage you to discuss and submit your proposals early. Please do not wait until the deadline!
To compete for the New Hampshire State Allocation your completed application must be received by close of business Friday, May 1, 2015 at the RD Montpelier office – 87 State Street, Suite 324 – PO Box 249 – Montpelier, VT 05601.
Contact Susan Poland at Susan.Poland@vt.usda.gov with questions and requests for application materials. Application is the same for both types of activities.
A summary of selected New Hampshire projects funded during 2014 is provided for your information and reference.
Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) & Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) – FY 2014
|
Grantee
|
|
Use Of Funds |
$ Amount/ Source of Funds |
|
Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust |
|
Technical Assistance – Join Farmland Conservation and Technical Assistance to Farm Business |
$16,500 State Allocation |
|
Belknap County Economic Development |
|
Technical Assistance – Business & Technology Counseling for Small Businesses |
$20,234 State Allocation |
|
Northern Community Investment Corporations |
|
Technical Assistance – Small Businesses |
$50,000 State Allocation |
|
Snow Drifters |
|
Trail Groomer |
$20,000 State Allocation |
|
Sullivan County |
|
Feasibility Study – Farm-based Economic Development |
$30,000 State Allocation |
|
Capital Regional Development Corporation |
|
Feasibility Study – Development and Operation of a Community Kitchen |
$25,000 State Allocation |
|
Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network |
|
Technical Assistance – Business Training Manual (Artist) |
$13,266 State Allocation |