HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-23 Correspondence - US Dept of Agriculture - USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Economic Development and Create Jobs for People in Rural AmericaFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject:[EXTERNAL]USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Economic Development and Create Jobs for People in Rural AmericaDate:Tuesday, December 5, 2023 11:16:48 AM
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US Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Together America Prospers
STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT
USDA Seeks Applications to Advance EconomicDevelopment and Create Jobs for People in Rural America
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development announced today that it is accepting applications to advance economic
development and create jobs for people in rural America.
USDA is making this funding available under the Rural Business Development Grant
program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in rural
communities. Organizations eligible to receive funding include rural towns, communities,
state agencies, authorities, nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes, public colleges, and
non-profit cooperatives.
Projects must be consistent with local community and economic development strategic
plans. They must also support other economic development activities in the surrounding
community.
Funds may be used to establish business support centers or to finance job training and
leadership development in rural areas. They may also be used to repair or modernize
buildings; finance feasibility studies or business plans; or purchase equipment to lease to
small or emerging businesses.
In fiscal year 2024, USDA anticipates that part of the funding may be set aside for:
Federally recognized Tribes.
Rural Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities/Rural Economic Area
Partnerships.
Projects located in persistent poverty areas.
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) projects.
Eligible applicants for the persistent poverty and SECD set-aside funds must demonstrate
that 100% of the benefits of an approved grant will assist beneficiaries in the designated
areas.
The Department expects to invite applications in winter 2024 for set-aside funding to
enhance the operation of rural transportation systems.
USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris
Administration priorities to:
Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change
through economic support to rural communities.
Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD)
programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and
Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market
opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
For questions or more information about this program, please contact Lad Barney, USDA
Rural Development in Montana Business and Cooperative Services Program Director at
lad.barney@usda.gov.
Applications must be submitted by 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) on Feb. 28, 2024, to
the nearest USDA Rural Development office in Montana where the project is located.
USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. For the office nearest you, call (406) 585-2587 or visit
Montana Contacts | Rural Development (usda.gov).
Additional information about the Rural Business Development Grant program is available
at Grants.gov or on page 84123 of the Dec. 4, 2023, Federal Register.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender
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