The USDA Rural Development Department is offering the Rural Business Development Grant program. This grant is designed to significantly foster economic development and generate vital employment opportunities within rural areas across the nation. Through the awarding of competitive grant funds, eligible entities are empowered to implement impactful projects. Applicants will compete within two distinct categories: Business Opportunity Grants, which focus on technical assistance and training, and Business Enterprise Grants, aimed at financing business start-ups, expansions, and infrastructure. These grants are specifically intended to support a wide array of business and community-focused initiatives that contribute directly to the vitality and long-term prosperity of rural communities.
Opportunity ID: 356757
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | RDBCP-RBDG-2025 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Rural Business Development Grant Program |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Business and Commerce |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 450 |
| Assistance Listings: | 10.351 — Rural Business Development Grant |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 2 |
| Posted Date: | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Last Updated Date: | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 28, 2025 Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project will be located. Late submissions will not be considered. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 28, 2025 Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project will be located. Late submissions will not be considered. |
| Archive Date: | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | – |
| Award Ceiling: | – |
| Award Floor: | – |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education State governments County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | Rural public entities including, but not limited to: Towns, Communities, State agencies, Authorities, Nonprofit corporations, Institutions of higher education, Federally-recognized tribes, Rural cooperative (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).This program is only open to a Public Body/Government Entity, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or a Nonprofit entity serving rural areas. For profit entities, individuals and individual businesses are not eligible to receive grants under this program. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Rural Business-Cooperative Service |
| Description: |
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. |
| Link to Additional Information: | Link to Program Web Site |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Cindy Mason
Loan Specialist Phone 202-690-1433 Email:cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
| Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project will be located. Late submissions will not be considered. | Oct 18, 2024 |
DISPLAYING: Synopsis 2
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | RDBCP-RBDG-2025 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Rural Business Development Grant Program |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Business and Commerce |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 450 |
| Assistance Listings: | 10.351 — Rural Business Development Grant |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 2 |
| Posted Date: | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Last Updated Date: | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 28, 2025 Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project will be located. Late submissions will not be considered. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 28, 2025 Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project will be located. Late submissions will not be considered. |
| Archive Date: | Mar 30, 2025 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | – |
| Award Ceiling: | – |
| Award Floor: | – |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education State governments County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | Rural public entities including, but not limited to: Towns, Communities, State agencies, Authorities, Nonprofit corporations, Institutions of higher education, Federally-recognized tribes, Rural cooperative (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).This program is only open to a Public Body/Government Entity, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or a Nonprofit entity serving rural areas. For profit entities, individuals and individual businesses are not eligible to receive grants under this program. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Rural Business-Cooperative Service |
| Description: |
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. |
| Link to Additional Information: | Link to Program Web Site |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Cindy Mason
Loan Specialist Phone 202-690-1433 Email:cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov |
Related Documents
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> RD 400-1.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> Exhibit C Environmental Documentation Checklist.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> RD 400-4.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> FY 2025 RBDG Application Toolkit.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> Federal Register Notice 2024-20344 10-18-2024.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> 1940-Q 1.pdf
Folder 356757 Full Announcement-RDBCP-RBDG-2025 Materials -> SF-424.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | Cindy Mason Loan Specialist Phone 202-690-1433 Email: cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.351 | PKG00288143 | Oct 18, 2024 | Feb 28, 2025 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
356757 SF424_4_0-4.0.pdf
356757 SF424A-1.0.pdf
356757 AttachmentForm_1_2-1.2.pdf