National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

NSAC's Blog

Rural Business Enterprise Grant Awards Announced

On Wednesday, September 14, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced grant awards to development organizations and producers in 40 states and Puerto Rico to promote rural job growth and business development.  All together, 69 Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEGs) and Intermediary Relending Program loans, totaling a combined $14.7 million, will be granted through USDA to stimulate rural economic development efforts.

RBEGs provide grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses that boost local rural economies.  The IRP provides loan capital to development organizations to use as revolving loans to finance small business and job growth in poor rural areas.

This round of funding includes numerous projects targeted to food systems:

  • $60,092 to expand the food distribution system in Newport, VT
  • $171,050 for Farm-to-Table marketing efforts and a food hub study in Vermont
  • $150,000 to construct a greenhouse in Eastaboga, AL
  • $48,000 to conduct a farm energy production study in Rumsey, CA
  • $99,000 to renovate the farmers market in Tifton, GA
  • $58,488 for technical service for food innovation districts in Traverse City, MI
  • $85,000 to build a cooperative grocery store for the residents of Nebraska and Colorado
  • $65,000 for business development using University of Nebraska Food Processing Center
  • $81,677 for the upgrade of the food center in Taos, NM
  • $84,102 to construct a decentralized regional composting system in Pittsburgh, PA
  • $50,000 to purchase food processing equipment for Mad River Food Hub, VT
  • $25,000 to support development of farmers markets in New Hampshire
  • $82,000 to expand and remodel a grocery store in rural Oklahoma
  • $100,000 to build a food manufacturing kitchen in South Carolina

Congratulations to one of NSAC’s members, Center for Rural Affairs, for receiving an RBEG award of $72,000 for marketplace activities, including outreach to eight Tribes in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Download NSAC’s Guide to Federal Funding for Local and Regional Food Systems to learn more about the applicability of the Rural Business Enterprise Grants to local and regional food systems.