Investment to Help 70 Businesses and Create or Save 180 Jobs
STEVENS POINT, Wis., August 11, 2020 – Wisconsin State Director Frank Frassetto announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $866,000 with 13 partner organizations in Wisconsin to help rural businesses create jobs and increase economic opportunities.
“These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” said Frassetto. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Wisconsin in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities to small rural businesses.
In Southwestern Wisconsin, Vernon Economic Development Association Inc will use a $40,000 grant to provide technical assistance to small and emerging businesses within the Food Enterprise Center in Viroqua. Work will be related to local foods project in the form of market development, business support services, food safety management and human capital development. This is the 8th year that this Agency has been participating in Rural Development business programs and this year’s award proposes to assist five businesses and help retain 26 jobs.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi, call us at 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov.
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