Matthew Leaf
Public bodies, non-profit organizations, and Indian tribes in rural areas, are invited to seek funding from USDA Rural Development to finance the development of small and emerging private enterprises. The grants are being made available through Rural Development’s Business Enterprise Grant program. The grants can be used for technical assistance, to establish small business revolving loan funds, and to acquire land, buildings, and infrastructure to enhance business development.
USDA says grants are encouraged focusing on revolving loan funds, assistance to Native Americans, or multi-state projects. Grants are available for projects that assist rural communities, which are defined as communities with a population of 50,000 or less, with priority given to requests of $50,000 or less.
Initial applications will receive points for projects that support goals in one of several categories, including: local food systems and value-added agriculture, renewable energy, multi-state or multi-county projects, support of cooperatives, minority and women-owned businesses, ecosystem market projects, and access to capital markets.
Four grants totaling $284,000 was awarded from the state allocation in Nebraska during fiscal year 2011. Six grants totaling more than $544,000 were funded from the National Office reserve funds.
Rural Development expects to have between $200,000 and $300,000 in funds available this year, with additional funds available for Native American projects. For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development web site.
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