2017 USDA Rural Development Rural Business Development Grants Info Sheet
The Rural Business Development Grant is accepting applications for the 2017 season.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-seeks-grant-applications-support-rural-businesses
The Native American set-aside will compete at the national level. Native American set-aside Applications are due in our office by March 31. We have not received word of the dollar amount available nationwide.
REAP Zone set-aside and the ND regular state allocation projects will compete at the state level. Applications for the REAP Zone set-aside and the regular state allocation are also due by March 31. Please see the news release for the REAP set-aside and regular state allocations from 2016:
The REAP Zone set-aside has not been finalized, but we expect similar funding as last year which was $466,741 for enterprise grants and $21,482 for opportunity grants. There will be a teleconference for REAP Zone set-aside potential applicants on Wednesday January 11th starting at 2PM Central. Please let me know if you would like to receive the call in information and the Power Point.
The regular allocation also has not been finalized, but we expect similar funding as last year which was $107,000 for enterprise grants and $18,000 for opportunity grants. There was also $9,000 for Section 6025 grants which was not utilized as 6025 funds and we were able to move those funds into the enterprise grant category for awards. There will be a second teleconference for all potential applicants on Tuesday January 17th at 2PM. Please let me know if you would like to receive the call in information and the Power Point.
Please remember that beneficiaries from any set-aside must be at least 75% from that set-aside. Example: The grantee is providing technical assistance to businesses and applied under the REAP set-aside. At least 75% of the technical assistance must be received by residents of the REAP Zones.
Please also be mindful that the RBDG must benefit a business or have an eventual business benefit in the case of a study.
Information on the RBDG program including an updated 2017 application guide, forms and frequently asked questions can be found on our state website at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants/nd
Please let me know if you have any questions on the RBDG program, the application process, administration of the grant, other Federal requirements such as ADA accessibility or “what happens after the grant” and I will be happy to discuss with you.
Looking forward to the RBDG season!
Denise Sundeen Denise.Sundeen@nd.usda.gov
Business and Cooperative Program Specialist | North Dakota
Rural Development United States Department of Agriculture
706 8th Avenue SE Suite 5 | Devils Lake, ND 58301
Phone: (701) 662-8634 ext. 141 | Fax: (855) 289-5184
www.rd.usda.gov/nd “Committed to the future of rural communities”
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
