Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Related Programs
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) a $50,000 grant was made to help fund a business incubator; (2) a $33,500 grant was made to a Native American tribe for technical assistance in implementing a business plan; (3) a $344,500 grant was made to provide technical assistance in an Enterprise Community.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, 107 grants were made. In FY 2008 the number of grants were 38. It is anticipated that in FY 2009, approximately the same number will be funded.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grant funds may be used to assist in the economic development of rural areas by providing technical assistance, training, and planning for business and economic development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Grants may be made to public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes on Federal or State reservations or other Federally recognized tribal groups, and cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents and that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the members.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Rural communities and businesses in rural areas.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of legal capacity. Evidence of financial strength and expertise in activities such as proposed in the application, sufficient to ensure accomplishment of the activities and objectives described in the application. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is subject to coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
This program is subject to environmental review requirements; however, most applications are expected to qualify as general exclusions.
Application Procedures
Potential applicants should file Standard Form 424.1, "Application for Federal Assistance (For Nonconstruction)," and additional material required by Agency regulations with the USDA Rural Development State Office. The application will include a written narrative and scope of work. More details are available from the Headquarters Office or any Rural Development State Office.
Award Procedures
Applications will be given a priority score in accordance with the criteria set out in the program regulations.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Section 741, Public Law 104-127.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
30 days to 1 year.
Appeals
Adverse decision may be appealed in accordance with procedures set out at 7 CFR 11.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements, although availability of matching funds is considered in determining priority.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funding for complete projects is limited to projects that can be completed within 2 years. Projects of longer duration may only be funded for 1 year at a time.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees must provide a financial report and performance activity report quarterly while the project is in process, and a project evaluation report within 1 year after the project is completed.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records and accounts must be maintained to reflect the operations of the project.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-0400-0-1-452.
Obigations
FY 07 $6,939,689; FY 08 $2,634,610; and FY 09 est $2,634,600.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$12,000 to $344,750. Average: $78,846.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Implementing regulations were published in the Federal Register (64 FR 71984) on December 23, 1999. The CFR citation is 7 CFR 4284, Subpart G.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the appropriate Rural Development State Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Specialty Lenders Division, STOP 3225, Room 6767, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-1521. Telephone: (202) 720-1400.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Grant selection criteria include the extent to which economic development resulting from the proposed project will be sustainable over the long term; the extent to which the project should lead to improvements in the quality of economic activity within the community, such as higher wages, improved benefits, greater career potential, and the use of higher level skills; the amount of leveraging of funds from other sources; service to communities that are experiencing trauma due to a major natural disaster or the closing or major downsizing of a military facility or other major employer; service to communities that have remained consistently poor over the long term or have experienced long term population decline or job deterioration; and the extent of the project's usefulness as a best practice that may serve as a model for other communities.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
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