The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to help rural communities develop locally-based solutions and access financial resources to support essential facilities and services and build economic prosperity.
The grants are being made available through USDA's Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program. Technical assistance providers can use the funding to provide assistance with capacity challenges in low-income rural communities with limited resources and staff. This assistance may include helping communities identify and plan for long-term community facility needs, identify resources to finance community facilities, prepare reports and surveys necessary to request financial assistance, prepare applications for Rural Development funding, and improve the operation of a community facility.
Private, public, and nonprofit organizations and tribal entities that have experience providing technical assistance and training in rural areas are eligible to apply. The maximum grant amount is $150,000.
Applications for USDA Community Facilities loans and grants often require financial and environmental analyses, which can be difficult for small communities to prepare when they do not have access to professional staff specialized in the development of these reports and surveys. The technical assistance available through this program will help more rural communities qualify for USDA loans and grants that will support their essential facilities and services.
Applications are due by July 2, 2018. Applications may be submitted electronically through grants.gov. In Oregon, paper applications should be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state office:
USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Community Programs
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
For more information about this program and how to apply, see page 19521 of the May 3, 2018, Federal Register.
Potential applicants can also participate in a free Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Webinar to learn more about the eligibility requirements of the program and to learn how to submit a successful application. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, May 15, at 11:00 am PST. Please register in advance.