STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT
USDA is Now Accepting Applications for Rural Businesses and Community Development Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation.
Eligible applicants can include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses or organizations are not eligible to apply.
Applications will compete in two separate categories:
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Business opportunity grants: May be used for business support centers, technology-based economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, feasibility studies, business plans, long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities.
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Business enterprise grants: May be used for training and technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements, buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas, constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment, capitalizing revolving loan funds, and supporting rural business incubators and community economic development and other eligible activities.
Electronic applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. local time through Grants.gov on the due date. The Rural Business Development Grant Program has two different closing dates:
- June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications.
- June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants. For more information on how to apply please visit on gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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