Business Programs

Business Programs

Creation of viable new and improved businesses and cooperatives in rural America is a top priority of USDA Rural Development. It works through partnerships with public and private community-based organizations to provide financial assistance, business planning and technical assistance to rural businesses. It also conducts research into rural economic issues, including those affecting rural cooperatives.

USDA provides technical assistance, research and educational materials to help improve the performance of the nation's cooperatives. Through various information products, it promotes greater public understanding of the use of the cooperative business system. By working together for their mutual benefit in cooperatives, rural residents are often able to reduce costs for production supplies and consumer goods, obtain services that might otherwise be unavailable and achieve greater returns for their products.

Programs for Rural Businesses and Rural Cooperatives