Resource Details

Business, Education & Schools, Transportation, Workforce

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally-recognized Tribes, and rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).

Eligible projects for ENTERPRISE GRANTS include:
Training and technical assistance;
Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities;
Pollution control and abatement;
The capitalization of revolving loan funds;
Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students;
Rural transportation improvement;
Community economic development;
Technology-based economic development;
Feasibility studies and business plans;
Leadership and entrepreneur training;
Rural business incubators; and
Long-term business strategic planning.

Eligible projects for OPPORTUNITY GRANTS include:
Community economic development;
Technology-based economic development;
Feasibility studies and business plans;
Leadership and entrepreneur training;
Rural business incubators; and
Long-term business strategic planning.

Top Benefits

  • Designed for small businesses (fewer than 50 new workers; less than $1 million gross revenue)
  • Given to projects that benefit rural areas or towns (areas that are not in or near urbanized area with 50k+ population)
  • No maximum grant amount
  • No cost sharing requirement
  • 2 types of projects eligible for funding
sponsor image

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

Contact

Kristin Peterson

(715) 345-7646

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