USDA announces $5.6M for Rural Community Development Initiative

In Washington, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants that will be awarded to organizations to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic development. USDA is making $5.6 million available through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI), a program that generates economic activity in rural areas.

“This funding will help local and regional organizations as they assist small and emerging businesses,” Vilsack said. “The Obama Administration recognizes small businesses as the engines of job creation and essential to strengthening our national economy.”
Strengthening the rural economy remains a main focus of USDA, despite budget uncertainties. Qualified intermediary organizations receiving the grants will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects. Recipients will be non-profit organizations, low income rural communities, or federally recognized tribes. Intermediary organizations must provide matching funds at least equal to the RCDI grant. Funds are not directly provided to business recipients by USDA under the program.

The deadline for submitting RCDI applications is November 12, 2013. Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state office where the applicant’s headquarters are located. A list of these offices is available on the USDA Rural Development website. Full program details are here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-14/pdf/2013-19773.pdf