USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)
USDA grants for technical assistance, training, and project development supporting small and emerging rural businesses through nonprofit and public intermediaries.
About this program
The Rural Business Development Grant program provides funding through two categories: Opportunity Grants (up to 10% of annual program funding) and Enterprise Grants for small and emerging rural businesses. Funds support training, technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, land/building acquisition or improvements, equipment, pollution control, and revolving loan fund capitalization. Grants are made to intermediaries, not directly to for-profit businesses, who then deliver services to rural businesses.
Eligibility
Public bodies/government entities, federally recognized Indian tribes, and nonprofit entities primarily serving rural areas (towns/villages outside the urbanized periphery of any city with 50,000+ population). For-profit businesses and individuals are not directly eligible.
Requirements
- Public body, tribe, or nonprofit organization
- Service to rural areas (population under 50,000)
- SAM.gov registration with UEI