PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2020 –U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Arizona State Director Jack Smith today announced $49,000 in USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) grants are being awarded to help three Arizona-based Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) provide training and technical assistance to rural small businesses around the state.
“The RMAP is a useful tool to help organizations create opportunities for small, rural businesses so that they can compete in the marketplace” said Smith. “This funding will help small businesses access capital that they would not have had otherwise, generating new economic activity in rural communities.”
In Yavapai County Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization Inc will use a $27,833 investment to continue to provide initial and ongoing technical assistance to borrowers and potential borrowers of the revolving loan fund available to microentrepreneurs located in the Verde Valley.
In Santa Cruz County: Nogales Community Development Corp. will use a $20,260 investment to continue the provision of technical assistance and training to microentrepreneurs. The recipient will provide coaching on successful business strategies as well as the tools necessary for accessing capital from Nogales Community Development Corporation's revolving loan fund.
In southeastern Arizona: PPEP Microbusiness and Housing Development Corp. will use a $1,314 investment to continue to provide technical assistance and training in conjunction with the recipient's revolving loan fund established for their Arizona Border Business Crisis Empowerment Program.
Nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes and institutions of higher learning are eligible to apply to become MDOs. Rural small businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees located in eligible areas may apply for a loan from an MDO. Eligible areas include rural areas outside a city or town with a population of 50,000 or fewer. A borrower’s headquarters may be based anywhere in the U.S., including a larger city, if the businesses served are located in an eligible rural area.
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/az. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development Arizona updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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