PINE RIDGE, S.D., Sept. 30, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded nearly $20 million through 385 grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses.
"These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses," Vilsack said today during a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner added, "This program helps New Mexico rural communities with job creation and economic development at a time when it's needed most." He added, "Whether these grants result in better planning, infrastructure development or business support services, rural communities will benefit from this USDA program."
USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities.
Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
In total, USDA is providing nearly $20 million in grants to 385 projects across the nation including $222,000 for five projects here in New Mexico. The projects in New Mexico include:
- Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Inc. $49,866 to provide technical assistance for small and emerging businesses in the Doña Ana County area.
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council $14,951 to provide business technical assistance for Native businesses
- Luna County for $50,000 to provide technical assistance and training to small rural businesses owners in the Luna County area.
- Roswell/Chaves County Economic Development $23,000 for small business planning activities
- Santa Fe Community College, $84,183 to provide technical assistance for small rural businesses.
USDA's Rural Business Development Grant Program is one of several that support rural economic development. Since the start of the Obama administration, USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service has helped 85,000 rural businesses.