Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Business Enterprise Grants

Program Description: Through the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program Rural Development provides grants to public agencies, private non-profit corporations or Indian groups for financing and facilitating development of small and emerging private business enterprises (defined as having less than $1 million in revenues and fewer than 50 employees).

Type of Assistance: Grant funds provided to public agencies, private non-profit corporations or Indian groups can be used to provide needed infrastructure, to fund technical assistance needs and to establish or fund revolving loan programs.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants for RBEG funds are public agencies, private non-profit corporations or Indian groups. Projects must be located in an area of less than 50,000 in population. Priority is given when the project:

• is located in a community where the unemployment rate exceeds the state rate
• is located in a community that has a median household income that is less than the state's total median household income, as determined by the 2000 census
• includes a commitment of funds from non-federal sources
• includes a firm commitment from a business to locate or expand to the community, thereby creating jobs

Contact: Applications are made at the Rural Development State Office. For further information, call (208) 378-5623.

Home Page
B&I Loan Program
B&I Guaranteed Loan Program
Intermediary Relending Program
Cooperative Services Technical Assistance
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program