USDA to offer grants to support rural businesses
Rural Development Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small announced on Friday (March 17) that the department is accepting applications for the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant, a grant geared toward supporting technical assistance for farmers and rural business owners who are members of socially disadvantaged demographics.
The Department of Agriculture is setting aside $3 million for this grant, and applicants can receive up to $175,000. The application period will last for 60 days, and potential participants are required to enroll their organization in the System for Award Management and are encouraged to do so one month prior to applying for the grant. Applicants can be located anywhere across the nation, but the groups they serve must be based in rural areas.
The grant does not go directly to socially disadvantaged individuals or organizations; instead it goes toward organizations that provide technical assistance, which includes leadership training, as well as developing feasibility studies, business plans and strategic plans, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The department is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to create more and better market opportunities and improved infrastructure, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.
The Department of Agriculture encourages applicants to contact the Rural Development State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss the project and ask any questions about the application process.
More information can be found at rd.usda.gov/programsservices/business-programs.