We are committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
The grant program is aimed at providing technical support and training to small, rural businesses. These businesses are defined as having fewer than 50 new employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue. The initiative helps projects in rural areas or towns not part of or adjacent to urbanized areas with populations over 50,000. With no set maximum for grant amounts, preference is given to smaller funding requests, encouraging applications that seek to make a significant impact with minimal financial resources. The program offers two types of projects: Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants, each catering to distinct needs. Opportunity grants are capped at 10 percent of total annual funding, focusing on community economic development, technological advancements, and strategic planning among other objectives. Enterprise grants, however, are directed towards more substantial projects like land development, construction, equipment purchase, pollution control, and even the capitalization of revolving loan funds aimed at supporting startups and providing working capital. This dual approach enables the grant to address both immediate and strategic needs of rural businesses, promoting sustainable growth and economic development in these areas.