Grant Applications Now Open for Rural Businesses
The Hawaiʻi State Office of USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG).
RBDG grants finance and support a variety of business opportunities and enterprise projects serving rural areas. They are available to public bodies, nonprofits and federally recognized tribal groups. Individual businesses are not eligible.
The RBDG program supports business plans, marketing and feasibility studies, equipment purchases for small and emerging businesses, creation of revolving loan funds and supporting rural distance learning programs for education or job training.
Five organizations received a total of $165,000 in RBDG grant awards in Hawaiʻi and the Western Pacific in FY 2016.
While the FY 2017 funding level is not yet known, similar funding to FY 2016 is anticipated with approximately $60,456 available for Hawaiʻi.
Interested applicants in Hawaiʻi County may contact Lori M. Nekoba, USDA business program specialist, at (808) 933-8312 or [email protected] for more information and/or to request an application.
Complete paper applications must be received in a Rural Development Office or via https://www.grants.gov/ by the close of business on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
Learn more about the Rural Business Development Grant at https://www.rd.usda.gov/progra