We are committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
This program provides technical assistance and training specifically for small rural businesses, defined as having fewer than 50 workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. The grant supports a wide range of developmental activities aimed at benefiting rural areas or towns outside urban centers with populations of 50,000 or more. Key areas of focus include but are not limited to training and technical assistance, land and facility development, pollution control, capital for revolving loan funds, distance learning for job training, rural transportation improvement, community economic development, and technology-based economic development. Grants are given without a cost-sharing requirement, and smaller requests are prioritized. Specific uses include enterprise projects that enhance small and emerging rural businesses and opportunity grants for community development and strategic planning initiatives.