Grants can be anywhere from $10,000 to $500,000. In Utah, for example, three grants were just awarded to Indian tribes, ranging from $40,000 to $69,000 for constructing camp grounds on reservations, supporting a tribal technology business and training employees at a new tribal park and camp ground.
Eligible businesses must be non-profit organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000. Businesses must also be privately owned and employ 50 or fewer new employees and have annual revenues under $1 million. Business projects can include pollution control, improvement in transportation, and other initiatives that help build small and emerging business in rural communities.
Each state has its own Rural Development state office. Since the program began in 2009, the program has funded 41,070 rural businesses and community projects.
For more information, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html
