RBS Summer Newsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

u s d a rural development rural business news

South Dakota USDA Rural Development  -  Summer 2017 Edition

hellosummer
Summer is here, and so is the opportunity to serve your community better!

Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant


Work Together

Let USDA Rural Development help your co-operative through our Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant.

We can provide funds to cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers enabling them to offer technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups. A Socially-Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. 

The technical assistance is commonly used for conducting feasibility studies, developing business and strategic plans, and providing leadership training. Cooperatives or Centers interested in applying can be located in any area, however, the groups assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.

The Notice for the FY17 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) was published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2017.  

Total Funding:  $3,000.000

Maximum grant:  $175,000

Application deadlines:  July 25 for electronic applications and August 1 for paper applications 

    Apply today

    Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

    Businesses

     PURPOSE

    The purpose of the RMAP program is to support the development and ongoing success of rural microenterprises. The program includes a loan to a microlender for the purpose of providing fixed interest rate loans of $50,000 or less. Eligible microlenders will also be automatically eligible to receive a technical assistance grant to provide technical assistance and training to microenterprises. Microenterprises are small businesses with 10 or less full-time employees and can include agricultural producers.

     

    WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AN RMAP LOAN/GRANT?

    • Microlenders – also called Microenterprise Development Organization (“MDO”)
    • Non-Profit
    • Indian Tribe
    • Public Institution of Higher Learning

     HOW MUCH ARE THE LOANS/GRANTS

    • Loan: minimum of $50,000; maximum of $500,000
    • Automatically eligible for TA grant to provide technical assistance and training to micro-enterprises that have received or are seeking a microloan under the RMAP.
    • Grant is for up to 25% of the total outstanding balance of microloans.

    WHAT CAN THE MICROENTERPRISE USE THE LOAN FUNDS FOR?

    • Working capital
    • Purchase of furniture, fixtures, supplies, inventory or equipment 
    • Debt refinancing
    • Business acquisitions
    • Purchase or lease of real estate that is already improved and will be used for the location of the subject business only (construction of any type is strictly prohibited)

    Applications are accepted quarterly.

    For more information about the RMAP program, contact Shelby Kraemer, Loan Specialist, at 605-824-3627 or Shelby.Kraemer@sd.usda.gov.

     

    Produce

    Business Guaranteed Loan Programs

    RISK

    BI.REAP

    For more information visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-industry-loan-guarantees.

    Dana Kleinsasser, Program Director
    200 Fourth St SW, Room 210
    Huron, SD  57350
    (605) 352-1157

    Cayla Hilbrands, Loan Specialist
    200 Fourth St SW, Room 210
    Huron, SD  57350
    (605) 352-1157

    Jolene Pravecek, Energy Coordinator
    2914 Broadway Ave, Yankton, SD  57078
    (605)665-3516

    Shelby Kraemer, Loan Specialist
    524 Enterprise Street S, Suite 100
    Aberdeen, SD  57401
    (605) 824-3627

    Value-Added Producer Grant Program

    BD Products
    Badlands Distillery Product

    The Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) is a program designed to help farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners increase the value of products that they produce and expand their markets and customer base, strengthening rural America in the process.  In doing so, these grants may be used to develop new projects and create additional uses for existing ones.

    Grants may either be used for Planning Purposes, such as developing business plans, feasibility studies, and marketing plans. They may also be used for Working Capital to help get a new, value-added business venture up and running.

    Badlands Distillery, LLC of Kadoka, SD utilized a Working Capital purpose grant in order to generate an additional revenue stream to support a family ranching business. The ag producer, Jim Herber, found a knowledgeable partner and set up shop in an existing small facility where his heritage white corn is now being transformed into several different flavors of moonshine. Badlands Distillery will use the VAPG funds to expand and refine its website; pay for outreach through trade shows and event sponsorships; cater to tourists by offering samples in its tasting room; reach travelers on I-90 with billboards and digital signage; create a “brand” by utilizing unique bottles, labels, and logo designs; cater to the Sturgis rally-goers through on-site tasting events; and contribute to community goodwill by sponsoring local activities and sports teams.

    All grant funds must be matched on a 1:1 basis. Matching funds may be in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions, of which the cash portion of the match must be at least 50%.  The maximum award for a Planning grant is $75,000, and the maximum award for a Working Capital grant is $250,000.  The grant periods can go as long a 3 years, starting within 90 days of the award. 

    If you would like additional information on the VAPG program, please use the RBS Service Area Map to contact your local Specialist.

    Rural Business & Cooperative Program Deadlines

    Program and Application Deadlines

    Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant and Loan Guarantees – two deadlines:  March 31 – projects of all sizes; and October 31 – project costs of $80,000 less.

    Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program – letter of intent:  March 6, 2017 (past) and application: April 3, 2017 (past).

    Business & Industry Loan Guarantees – applications accepted year round.

    Rural Business Development Grant – Applications are accepted year round – March 31, 2017 Native American deadline (past) and April 28, 2017 unrestricted state deadline (past).

    Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program – quarterly deadlines.

    Intermediary Relending Program – quarterly deadlines.

    Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program - quarterly deadlines.

    Value Added Producer Grant – 2017 application deadlines are unknown at this time.  Watch for funding notice soon.

    Rural Cooperative Development Grant – Electronic applications due May 26, 2017 (past) and Paper applications are due June 2, 2017 (past).

    Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant - Electronic applications due July 25, 2017 and Paper applications are due August 1, 2017.

    For additional program information, view the USDA Rural Development Programs Summary.

    RBS Service Area Map & Contact Information

    RBCS Map
    Click the map to view contact information.

    Upcoming Federal Holidays Observations

    Independence Day - Tuesday, July 4, 2017

    Labor Day - Monday, September 4, 2017

    Columbus Day - Monday, October 9, 2017

    Veteran's Day - Friday, November 10, 2017

    Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 23, 2017

    Christmas Day - Monday, December 25, 2017

    *Observation dates indicates days that the agency offices will be closed which may be different than the actual holiday dates.