U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Alaska State Director (USDA-RD) Jim Nordlund today announced USDA-RD is seeking applications for grants to provide assistance to socially-disadvantaged business groups in rural areas.
"Rural Alaska is not only vast, but has a diverse population with many categories of businesses and business owners participating in their local economies," Nordlund said. "This funding will give small, rural businesses the technical assistance they need to increase their potential to enter and compete in the global marketplace."
The funding is being provided through the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program. USDA-RD provides grants to local cooperatives and other organizations that provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance include providing leadership training, conducting feasibility studies and developing business and strategic plans.
Recipients eligible for these grants include groups of cooperatives, individual cooperatives and cooperative development centers that serve socially-disadvantaged groups. The cooperatives or cooperative development centers can be based in any area, but the groups that receive technical assistance must be located in an eligible rural area. USDA-RD is encouraging applications for projects in census tracts with poverty rates of 20 percent or higher.
USDA is making $3 million in grants available. The maximum award a recipient may receive is $175,000. All grants are awarded through a national competition. More information on how to apply can be found on page 36254 of the June 6, 2016 Federal Register. Applications must be submitted by August 5, 2016, or electronically by August 1, 2016.
Since 2009, USDA-Rural Development has invested more than $2 billion in 226 rural Alaskan communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, business, energy, water and sewer, telecom and electric have helped to grow rural Alaska’s economy and enhance the quality of life for its residents.