The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for technical assistance grants to improve rural transportation systems.
Qualified national organizations can use these Rural Business Development Grants to provide technical assistance and training leading to the improvement of rural transportation services or facilities. Rural Development does not provide funding directly to transportation projects under this program.
Assistance may be provided by the grant recipients to local and regional governments, federally-recognized tribes, public transit agencies, and related nonprofit or for-profit organizations serving rural areas. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
A single $500,000 grant is available to support rural transportation projects, and a single $250,000 grant is available to support rural transportation projects operated by federally-recognized tribes.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2021. Paper applications must be received by 4:30 pm PST while electronic applications must be received by 11:59 pm PST. In Oregon, applications should be submitted to the Portland State Office:
USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Faith Harris, Business and Cooperative Programs
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
Email: or.rd.bp.apps@usda.gov
Prior to developing an application, interested applicants are encouraged to contact Faith Harris, Business and Cooperative Programs Specialist, (503) 414-3358, to discuss their project proposal. Applicants may request technical assistance with their application, as long as the request is submitted by May 21, 2021.
Additional information is also available on page 17112 of the April 1, 2021, Federal Register.