Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded nearly $20 million through 385 grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses.
“These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” Vilsack said today during a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
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.
Michigan has 23 projects totaling $785,000:
|
Recipient |
Amount |
Purpose |
|
Sault Sainte Marie Advanced Resources and Technology, Inc. |
$35,000 |
Vehicles/equipment/machinery |
|
Mackinac Economic Alliance Corporation |
$40,000 |
Revolving loan fund |
|
Boyne City |
$30,000 |
Small business incubator |
|
Economic Development Alliance for Oscoda County |
$30,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
City of Allegan |
$30,000 |
Renovation |
|
Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities |
$20,000 |
Technical Assistance |
|
Village of Farwell |
$50,000 |
Renovation |
|
West Branch Township |
$10,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
City of Alpena |
$15,000 |
Technical Assistance |
|
City of Alpena |
$45,000 |
Construction |
|
Beaverton Activity Center |
$50,000 |
Vehicles/equipment/machinery |
|
Frankenmuth Farmers Market |
$50,000 |
Construction |
|
Hillman Community Radio, Inc. |
$5,000 |
Vehicles/equipment machinery |
|
Michigan Farmers Market Association |
$60,000 |
Research and development |
|
Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau |
$50,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
City of South Haven |
$30,000 |
Renovation |
|
Charter Township of Oscoda |
$30,000 |
Revolving loan fund |
|
City of Fennville Downtown Development Authority |
$30,000 |
Expansion |
|
De Tour Village |
$50,000 |
Construction |
|
Lenawee County |
$20,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
City of Litchfield |
$55,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
Alliance for Economic Success |
$25,000 |
Technical assistance |
|
Saginaw Bay Resources, Conservation & Development Area, Inc. |
$25,000 |
Technical assistance |
While Secretary Vilsack was in South Dakota, he highlighted USDA’s work to expand economic opportunities for Native Americans and rural residents throughout the state. For example, he announced that the Oglala Sioux Tribe is receiving a $1.85 million grant to construct a storage building and cell for a solid waste landfill.
Other RBDG recipients include Boyne City, Mich., which been selected to receive a $30,000 grant to provide equipment for an incubator kitchen for local foods. The Town of Princess Anne, Md., is receiving a $21,400 grant to buy furnishings and equipment for the historic Washington Hotel.
Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
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.