$64K Rural Business Dev’t Grant available for the Western Pacific

HILO, Hawaii—State Director Chris J. Kanazawa announced yesterday the availability of funding of its new Rural Business Development Grant program. For fiscal year 2015, a total of $108,000 is available for Hawaii and $64,000 is available for Western Pacific for rural business development and job creation.

“Rural Development continues to invest in rural communities and businesses that create new economic opportunities” said Kanazawa. “Under President Obama’s administration we have seen steady growth in rural business development. The Rural Business Development Grant is one of many programs that assist rural businesses in building capacity and sustainability.”

Congress established the Rural Business Development Grant under the 2014 Farm Bill by combining USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant and Rural Business Opportunity Grant programs. The applicant eligibility for the program is to public bodies/governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and federally recognized tribal groups. RBDG can be used to acquire or develop land, buildings, plants and equipment; build or improve access roads, parking areas, utility extensions, and water and waste disposal facilities; provide technical assistance; establish revolving loan funds; and to support rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job-training.

For more information on the RBDG program, contact one of the following Business Programs Specialist:

– Shirley Heatherly at (808) 483-8600, Ext. 118 or shirley.heatherly@hi.usda.gov for Oahu, Kauai, and American Samoa;

– Lori Nekoba at (808) 933-8312 or lori.nekoba@hi.usda.gov for Maui and Hawaii County; or

– Anthony Barcinas at (671) 472-8567 or anthony.barcinas@pb.usda.gov for Western Pacific.

The deadline to submit a RBDG application is June 1, 2015, to any USDA Rural Development office in Hawaii or Western Pacific.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way-strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. (USDA-RD)