Grants for Rural Development Projects Will Be Key in 2014

Building stronger rural communities is going to be an important focus in 2014 for President Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA Rural Development program has invested over $17.2 million in projects that will improve the quality of life for rural residents across the Western Pacific.

Small business owners focused on projects for rural change and improvement may find more opportunities for grants from the USDA in 2014. The money focuses on helping projects that include first-time home ownership, home repair/rehabilitation, community facilities, business assistance and investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Examples of grant programs available include the Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) Program for rural non-profits organizations who assist in the development of small rural businesses, provide distance learning or adult education programs in rural communities. The Value-Added Producer Grant is for agriculture producers to provide new products that have greater marketing opportunities. This grant is especially enticing to new, socially-disadvantaged and small-to-medium farmers and ranchers.

These and other programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. The USDA's commitment to invest in supporting rural communities also represents an opportunity for small-to-medium sized businesses to obtain grants for their work and for projects that help rural communities.

For more information, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/bcp_vapg.html