U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director Bruce Jones has announced the agency is accepting applications for the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program.
“This grant promotes long-term economic growth and community vitality in rural areas,” said Jones. “We encourage non-profits, tribes and public agencies to apply.”
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is designed to assist with startup and expansion of small and emerging private businesses and/or nonprofits in rural communities. Eligible applicants include public bodies, government entities, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. Funds can be used for business incubators, leadership and entrepreneur training, acquisition or development of land or buildings, capitalization of revolving loan funds to be re-lent to local businesses and many other purposes – all to assist small businesses.
For example in 2015, Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) leveraged their own funds with RBDG funds towards workforce education efforts with the South Dakota Education Campus (SDEC) located in Brookings. SDEC works closely with Brookings businesses and provides training in the areas needed by those businesses. In some cases, they have individuals who want to learn a new skill so they can get a job or develop new skill sets that will support their career development. Examples of training provided include CNAs, welders, and carpenters, as well as classes in Quicken, Excel, and other computer programs. Their emphasis is in STEM, and have worked with MN West Community College in Granite Falls, MN as well as the Brookings School District. In 2015, BEDC also leveraged their own funds with RBDG funds towards the Brookings community entrepreneurship growth strategy that they titled Makerspace. The Brookings Area Makerspace provides affordable access to unique space and specialized equipment in several areas. Categories include wood shop, kitchen area, industrial sewing machine, 3-D printer, electronics bench, welder, CNC router table, laser engraver, plus more. The Makerspace is intended to be used by entrepreneurs, artists, makers, and hobbyists to collaborate on projects and experiment on innovate ideas – to encourage learning and entrepreneurship.
Funds have been set aside nationally to assist Native Americans, and additional monies will be allotted among the states for non-set aside applicants. All grants will be awarded competitively, based on several areas including:
- Evidence showing job creation to occur with local businesses;
- Percent of nonfederal funding committed to the project;
- Economic need in the area to be served;
- Consistency with local economic development priorities; and
- Experience of the grantee with similar efforts.
Complete applications must be received by USDA Rural Development at the South Dakota state office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017. If you are planning to submit an application in South Dakota, we encourage you to contact a local Business & Cooperative Program Specialist or the State Office for more details about the application requirements and process:
Dana Kleinsasser, Rural Business & Cooperative Programs Director (Huron State Office)
Phone: (605) 352-1142
Email: dana.kleinsasser@sd.usda.gov
Cayla Hilbrands, Assistant (Huron State Office)
Phone: (605) 352-1137
Email: cayla.hilbrands@sd.usda.gov
Shelby Kraemer, Assistant (Aberdeen)
Phone: (605) 824-3627
Email: shelby.kraemer@sd.usda.gov
Gary Wedel, Specialist (Mitchell)
Phone: (605) 299-3339
Email: gary.wedel@sd.usda.gov
Clark Guthmiller, Specialist (Pierre)
Phone: (605) 301-3409
Email: clark.guthmiller@sd.usda.gov
Hettianne Cekalla, Specialist (Rapid City)
Phone: (605) 342-0301, Ext. 118
Email: hettianne.cekalla@sd.usda.gov
Jolene Pravecek, Specialist (Yankton)
Phone: (605) 655-3516
Email: jolene.pravecek@sd.usda.gov