Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small has announced that USDA is accepting applications to support economic development and create jobs for people in rural America.USDA is making this funding available under the Rural Business Development Grant program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in rural communities. Eligible entities are rural towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes, public institutions of higher education and non- profit cooperatives.
Business opportunity projects are used to identify and analyze business opportunities that will use local rural materials or human resources. These projects must be consistent with local and area-wide community and economic development strategic plans. Projects must also support other economic development activities in the project area. They may include establishing business support centers or financing job training and leadership development in rural areas. Enterprise projects include the repair or modernization of buildings, technical assistance such as feasibility studies or business plans, or equipment purchases for leasing to small or emerging businesses.
In fiscal year 2023, USDA anticipates that part of the funding may be set aside for federally recognized Native American Tribes, Rural Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities/Rural Economic Area Partnerships, projects located in persistent poverty areas (including those of Native American …
USDA seeks applications to support rural entrepreneurs and create jobs – Vermont Biz
