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Workshop on applying for funding to expand small rural businesses to be held

Name
Ernie Watson
City
Albuquerque
Release Date

USDA Rural Development Acting State Director Eric Vigil announced today the agency will be holding a workshop to provide information on how to apply for Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) funding.

In making the announcement Vigil said, “Because of the state’s slow economic growth this is a good opportunity for any eligible entity that helps provide development opportunities for small rural business to apply for this program and get the needed financial support to help their community grow economically.” 

Eligible applicants for RBDG funding include: government entities such as the State of NM and all subdivisions of the state such as municipalities, counties, councils of government: Indian tribes; and nonprofit entities.  Grants are made to eligible entities for use in funding various business opportunity and business enterprise projects that serve rural areas.

RBDG grant funds can be used for technical assistance, training and other similar activities that support the business development of small business enterprises in rural areas.  The grant can also be used to benefit small rural businesses through acquiring or developing land, buildings, and equipment; establishing a revolving loan fund; guiding the development of a plan; or create an economic development plan. 

The workshop will be held: Thursday, March 9, 2017, 10-11:30 at the USDA-Rural Development State Office, 1st Floor Conference Room, located at 6200 Jefferson NE in Albuquerque.
                                               
This event is free and open to the public.  For a brief description of the RBDG program, please see https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants. Contact Jesse Monfort Bopp at jesse.bopp@nm.usda.gov or 505.761.4952 if you require any special accommodation(s) for this event, to RSVP, or to receive an application template.  An RSVP is not required but would be appreciated so that USDA RD can make sure that we have space and an appropriate amount of handouts. 

If you are not able to attend the workshop you are encouraged to contact USDA RD staff members located nearest to you to gather information on the RBDG program.  They are:
 
• Albuquerque State Office: Jesse Monfort Bopp, 505.761.4952 or Jesse.Bopp@nm.usda.gov;
• Albuquerque State Office: Carlos Contreras, 505.761-4958 or carlos.contreas@nm.usda.gov
• Aztec: Evert Oldham; 505.334.3090, Ext. 111 or Evert.Oldham@nm.usda.gov;
• Las Cruces: Kathy Barrett; 575.522.8775, Ext. 122 or Kathy.A.Barrett@nm.usda.gov;
• Roswell: Ray Melton, 575.622.8745, Ext. 4 or Ray.Melton@nm.usda.gov