The USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) stands as a beacon of hope for rural communities seeking economic growth and sustainability. By combining the detailed insights from NCBA CLUSA’s Strengthening Cooperative Communities project, and the official USDA website, aspiring applicants can gain a comprehensive understanding of the program’s intricacies, eligibility criteria, and application process. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. The RBDG program not only empowers entrepreneurs and organizations but also leaves a lasting impact on the fabric of rural America, driving positive change one grant at a time.
Apply
Important USDA Contacts
| Jim Wadsworth, Branch Chief, Cooperative Programs, Washington DC, james.wadsworth@usda.gov | Margaret Bau, Co-op Development, Wisconsin, margaret.bau@usda.gov | Meegan Moriarty, Co-op Legal Analyst, Virginia, meegan.moriarty@usda.gov |
Debbie Rausch, Co-op Development, RD Programs, Ohio, deborah.rausch@usda.gov | Robi Fauser Fink, Co-op Development, RD Programs, Kentucky, robi.fauserfink@usda.gov |
February 6 Webinar Presentation
February 6 Webinar
Other Important Links
- 7 CFR Part 4280 Subpart E for Program Regulations
- USDA Rural Development (RD) State or Local office
- Geographic Eligibility of Project: visit eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/
- RBDG Application 4280.427
- SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance
- Review USDA RD RBCS’ How-To Video Series
- Intergovernmental review comments from the State Single Point of Contact, or evidence that the State has elected not to review the program under Executive Order 12372
- RBDG construction Project grants must conform with 7 CFR part 1924, subpart A requirements
- Scoring (Application Review) Criteria 4280.435 Regulation and NOSA
- RBDG Mapping Tool (arcgis.com)
- FEMA designation number/map
- Long-Term Poverty: Project area in an EZ/EC, CC, REAP, or PP County
- Long term population Decline: project areas latest 3 decennial census’ – 2020, 2010, and 2000
- U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
- State Non-metro Median Household Income (SNNMHI)
- The USDA RD Poverty level
- USDA Rural Development Key Priorities
- UNI Advance Iowa
- MORA San Miguel Rural Electric Cooperative
- Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC)
- Legacy Project
- Workshops on the cooperative ownership model videos
- Contact State Rural Development staff
- SAM.gov
- SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist