USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant

Overview:

The primary objective of this grant program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through the creation or retention of jobs and development of new rural cooperatives, value-added processing, and other rural businesses.  Grant funds are provided for the establishment and operation of Centers that have expertise or who can contract out for the expertise to assist individuals in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of cooperative businesses. 

Eligible Applicants:

An entity is eligible to receive an RCDG if it is a non-profit corporation or an institution of higher education.  Public bodies are not eligible to receive grants

Deadline:

The deadline to submit applications is May 20, 2006.

Funding Available:

For Fiscal Year 2006, approximately $4.45 million is available for the grant program.

For complete information visit:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/RCDG%202006%20Application%20Guide.doc