The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is seeking applications to support businesses and help create jobs in rural Oregon.
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program can be used to support targeted technical assistance, training, feasibility studies, and other activities leading to the development or expansion in rural areas of small and emerging private businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues.
The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Public bodies, government entities, Indian tribes, and nonprofits are eligible to apply. A Native American set aside that is funded through a national competition is also available.
Applications proposing to focus on any of the following four categories will receive additional points:
- Inspire an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship;
- Support projects located in Opportunity Zones;
- Serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes, with an emphasis on areas where 20 percent or more of the population is living in poverty; and
- Reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with substance use disorders in high-risk rural communities.
For additional information on the application process and how applications will be scored, see the Rural Business Development Grant Program Application Window and Discretionary Points unnumbered letter dated December 20, 2018.
The application deadline is Mach 29, 2019. In Oregon, applications should be submitted to:
USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Business and Cooperative Programs
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
Prior to developing an application, interested applicants are encouraged to contact a local Business and Cooperative Specialist to discuss the proposed project and application requirements.