PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Grants are for establishing and operating centers for rural technology or cooperative development for the primary purpose or improving the economic condition of rural areas by promoting the commercialization of new services and products that can be produced or provided in rural areas; new process that can be utilized in the production of products in rural areas; and new enterprises that can add value to on-farm production through processing or marketing.
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE: Grants may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs of establishing or operating centers for rural technology or cooperative development. Purposes may be such things as technology research, investigations, feasibility studies, dissemination of information, commercialization of new products and processes, training, re-lending, technical assistance, research and support.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Grants may be made to public bodies or non-profit institutions and Indian tribes for use in rural areas (less than 50,000 in population) and a density or not more than 100 persons per square mile.
CONTACT: This program is administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250. However applications are made at the Rural Development State Office.
For assistance, please contact Bruce Pleasant, Business Programs Specialist in the State Office. Mr. Pleasant can be reached at 919-873-2031 or email: bruce.pleasant@nc.usda.gov
Please send any comments or suggestions to:
Rdwebmaster@usda.gov
Revised on: August 4, 2003