U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants to help promote sustainable economic development and job creation in rural communities.”Cooperative enterprises often lead economic growth and job creation inrural areas,” said Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary. “USDA is offering grants to help organizations start cooperatives, expand existing ones or help develop business opportunities in rural areas.”USDA is offering Rural Cooperative Development Grants to nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education. The grants also can be used to conduct feasibility studies, create and implement business plans and help businesses develop new markets for their products and services.One-year grants up to $175,000 are available. In most cases, grants can be used to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing and operating rural cooperative development centers. Recipients are required to match 25 percent of the award amount. The grant period should begin no earlier than Oct. 1, 2012, and no later than Jan. 1, 2013.Through this notice, USDA can award up to $5.8 million in grants. Thedeadline for RCDG applications is Aug. 6. For additional information, see the June 7 Federal Register at https://federalregister.gov/articles/2012/06/07/2012-13833/inviting-applications-for-rural-cooperative-development-grants or contact the USDA Rural Development State Office at https://rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.In addition, USDA is offering almost $2.37 million in grants through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Opportunity Grant:http://rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RBOG.html. The program promotessustainable economic development in rural communities and regions with exceptional needs.The RBOG program provides training and technical assistance grants for business development, entrepreneurs and economic development officials; and assists with economic development planning. Funding is available to rural public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Native American tribes and cooperatives with primarily rural members that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the membership.Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants are due Aug. 6.Application instructions can be obtained from the June 7 Federal Register athttps://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/06/07/2012-13835/inviting-applications-for-rural-business-opportunity-grants#p-3, or by contacting a USDA Rural Development State Office.http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaintof discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary forCivil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW,Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 866-632-9992 (toll-free customerservice), 800-877-8339 (local or federal relay), 866-377-8642 (relayvoice users).
