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Applications out for Rural Business Enterprise Grant
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Posted on Apr 02 2009
[B]HILO, Hawaii[/B]—USDA Rural Development will solicit applications under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program when funds become available.
The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. The USDA Rural Development will administer grant awards made under the RBEG program and 7 U.S.C. 1932(c) (2) for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The funding opportunity is being announced prior to the actual availability of funding to allow applicants enough time to obtain leveraging funds and to begin preparing their applications.
Eligibility for the RBEG funds are public bodies and private nonprofit organizations, such as states, counties, and cities. Rural area for this program is defined as a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less, other than an urbanized area immediately adjacent to a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants. Applications will only be accepted from eligible entities.
The program is administered on behalf of Rural Business-Cooperative Service and assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include on-site technical assistance to local and regional governments, public transit agencies, and related non-profit and for-profit organizations in rural areas; the development of training materials; and the provision of necessary training assistance to local officials and agencies in rural areas.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development Office or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.[B][I] (USDA)[/I][/B]
