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USDA Invites Comments on Changes to Expand Eligibility for Tribes Under the Rural Business Development Grants Program

Name
Ernie Watson
Phone
City
Albuquerque, N.M.
Release Date
Stakeholder Announcement

USDA Invites Comments on Changes to Expand Eligibility for Tribes Under the Rural Business Development Grants Program

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is inviting comments on a proposal to expand eligibility for Tribes under the Rural Business Development Grants program.

These grants create jobs, spur economic growth and support enterprise projects in rural and Tribal communities. The changes USDA is proposing will expand eligibility definitions under the program to enable more Tribal government-owned entities to qualify for funding.
For instance, the Department plans to:

  • Expand the “Small and Emerging Business” definition to include Tribal governments and Tribal-owned entities.
  • Clarify the definition for “Conflict of Interest” to explain how the agency defines the relationship between Tribal nations and their Tribal-owned entities.

USDA will also host a virtual Tribal Consultation on this proposed rule during the open comment period. Additional details are forthcoming.

Comments must be submitted at www.regulations.gov by July 24, 2023.

For more information, visit page 33552 of the May 24 Federal Register.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

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