Agency
Program Site
Description
Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.
Check with Rural Development State Office to determine local RBDG application deadlines.
There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. Generally, grants range from $10,000 to $500,000. There is no cost sharing requirement. Opportunity grants are limited to up to 10% of the total RBDG annual funding.
Eligibility
Federally-recognized tribes can directly apply. Past year appropriations have included RBDG funding that is legislatively mandated to benefit federally recognized Tribes.
Climate Change Component
Natural resources rural communities depend upon will be affected by climate change. To help adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change communities will need to develop or expand small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. This program will assist in business development.