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USDA Seeks Apps to Help Socially Disadvantaged Businesses
USAgNet - 07/29/2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers previously announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to provide assistance to socially-disadvantaged business groups in rural areas.

"Rural America is an incredibly diverse place with many types of businesses and business owners participating in the economy," Rikkers said. "This funding will give small, rural businesses the technical assistance they need to compete in the global marketplace."

The funding is being provided through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program. USDA provides grants to local cooperatives and other organizations that provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance include providing leadership training, conducting feasibility studies and developing business and strategic plans.

Recipients eligible for these grants include groups of cooperatives, individual cooperatives and cooperative development centers that serve socially-disadvantaged groups. The cooperatives or development centers can be based in any area, but the groups that receive technical assistance must be located in an eligible rural area. USDA is encouraging applications for projects in census tracts with poverty rates of 20 percent or higher.

USDA is making $3 million in grants available. The maximum award a recipient may receive is $175,000. All grants are awarded through a national competition. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 5 or electronically by Aug. 1. Please contact the Business Program Specialist Carol Webb at 517-324-5157 for specific questions.

USDA awarded 126 grants totaling $19.5 million through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program between 2009 and 2015.


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