Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG)
Grant: Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG)
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Division: Rural Business Cooperative Service (RBS)
Deadline: June 28, 2013 for paper applications; June 24, 2013 for electronic applications. Partnership funds applications are due June 30, 2013.
Description: The RBOG program assists in the economic development of rural areas by providing grants for technical assistance, training, and planning for business and economic development. RBS is particularly interested in recruiting applications that will establish best practice projects in the area of regional economic and community development. Assistance provided to rural area under this program includes:
- Rural business incubators.
- Technology-based economic development.
- Feasibility studies and business plans.
- Long-term business strategic planning.
- Leadership and entrepreneur training.
In addition, the USDA encourages applications that will support regional economic development.
New in FY 2013, USDA is participating in the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP). This is a new Administration-wide initiative intended to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and help cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in regions across the country. The program is designed to reward communities that demonstrate best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing by using long-term planning that integrates targeted investments in workforce training, infrastructure, research and other key assets. A portion of funds allocated under the RBOG program will be reserved for partnerships of this type.
Fit for public broadcasting: This is a partnership opportunity intended to combine the resources of the RBS with those of state and local governments, educational institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors to implement regional economic and community development strategies. RBS is interested in applications that promote substantive economic growth in sectors within the region that have the greatest need for improved economic opportunity.
Detailed information about this program is available through rural development state and local offices or USDA service centers. To find an office near you, click here.
Eligibility: Nonprofits, state governments, local governments, institutes of higher education and federally recognized tribal groups are eligible to apply.
Anticipated funding: Approximately $2.8 million will be available under this program. An estimated $919,820 will be reserved for projects benefiting Native Americans in rural areas. Another $790,303 is expected to be used in supporting projects benefiting Partnerships. The remaining will be distributed among all other applicants, with a maximum award of $100,000.
How to apply: Applications may be submitted in paper form or electronically. Electronic submission must be completed by June 24, 2013, and must be done using Grants.gov. This process requires registration, which can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the grant deadline.
Paper applications must be hand delivered, or postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight no later than June 28, 2013. Applications should be sent to the state office located in the state where the project is expected to take place. In case of a multi-state project, applications must be submitted to the state office located in the state where the majority of work will be conducted. A listing of state offices can be found here.
Resources:
Program notice
Program website
