We are committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
This program is designed to support the startup and growth of microenterprises in rural areas by providing loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs). The grants aim to facilitate the development of a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and to offer training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro-entrepreneurs. MDOs applying for this opportunity must either have experience managing a Revolving Loan Fund, have received proper education and training in managing such funds, or demonstrate active and successful participation in intermediary lending, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program. The program also provides grants for technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, with available funding up to $205,000 annually, requiring at least 15 percent matching funds from the grantees.