USDA Rural Development Acting Deputy Undersecretary Roger Glendenning announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and rural business owners.
“These grants help ensure that rural business owners have what they need to succeed in today’s competitive, global economy,” Glendenning said. “According to the Small Bossiness Administration, small businesses employ more than half of all US workers. Their success is vital to the nation’s economy.”
Luis R. García-Boria, Rural Development Acting State Director for Puerto Rico, indicated that USDA is awarding up to $3 million in grants through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program to help small businesses retain and create jobs in rural areas.
Eligible grant recipients include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives and cooperative development centers that serve socially disadvantaged groups. Examples of technical assistance include leadership training, and support to develop feasibility studies, business plans and strategic plans. Recipients can be based in any area, but the businesses or organizations they serve must be in an eligible rural area.
For more information on how to apply, see page 26426 of the June 7, 2017 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 25, 2017.
For additional information, please, call, Danna Quiles, Rural Business and Cooperative Program Director, at (787) 766-5379, 766-5412, 766-5355 or visit our web www.rd.usda.gov/pr .