More than $28 Million Expected Under New Rural Business Development Grant Program Created Under the 2014 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2015 - Agriculture Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to support rural businesses and help create jobs.

"This USDA funding will ensure continued investments in rural businesses," Mensah said. "Too often, rural businesses and the communities they serve lack access to the capital and resources they need to grow and thrive. These grants will help remedy that and allow all Americans the chance to share in the nation's economic recovery."

USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner added, "This is a flexible grant program for communities and organizations that seek to create jobs and economic opportunity for rural New Mexico."

Congress established the RBDG program under the 2014 Farm Bill by combining USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) and Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) programs. The new program, like its predecessors, is designed to assist the startup or expansion of small and emerging private businesses and/or non-profits in rural communities.

Like the RBEG and RBOG programs the funding will be made to public bodies and non-profit corporations to assist small and emerging businesses and/or non-profits in their communities. The funds may be used to assist in the economic development of rural areas by providing technical assistance, training, and planning for business and economic development.

RBDG grants can be used to acquire or develop land, buildings, plants and equipment; build or improve access roads, parking areas, utility extensions, and water and waste disposal facilities; provide technical assistance; establish revolving loan funds; and to support rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job training. There are no substantive programmatic or operational changes to the RBEG and RBOG programs as a result of this consolidation.

More than $28 million is expected to be available under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Eligible applicants include public bodies, government entities, Indian tribes and non-profit organizations.

Grants made before the implementation of the RBDG program will continue to be governed by the terms of the applicable RBOG and RBEG regulations in effect at the time the grants were made.

For additional information on how to apply, contact the New Mexico Rural Development state office at 505-7614950 or by clicking on: state office or see Page 15665 of the March 25 Federal Register.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.