On March 25, USDA Rural Development announced the availability of its new Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program, with up to $28 million available nationwide for rural business development.
"USDA funding will ensure continued investments in rural businesses,” said Lisa Mensah, Under Secretary of USDA Rural Development. “Too often, rural businesses and the communities they serve lack access to the capital and resources they need to grow and thrive. These grants will help remedy that and allow all Americans the chance to share in the nation’s economic recovery.”
Individual businesses are not eligible to apply, but nonprofits, cooperatives, state agencies, public bodies, and Native American tribes are eligible (for a tribe to apply to assist a tribal business enterprise, the governing board must be independent from the tribal government). These organizations in turn provide support to small and emerging businesses.
In Washington State, approximately $309,000 will be available for the RBDG program. Funds can be used to acquire or develop land, buildings, plants and equipment; build or improve access roads, parking areas, utility extensions and water and waste disposal facilities; provide technical assistance, establish revolving loan funds and to support rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job training.
The deadline to apply is June 5, 2015. All applications must be sent to the USDA Rural Development Washington State Office, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512, and must be received in the office by 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
For more information on the RBDG, please contact Carlotta Donisi by calling (360) 704-7724 or email her at carlotta.donisi@wa.usda.gov
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