USDA 2009 Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) CFDA 10.773 (mod 3)

The Rural Development State Offices administer the RBOG program on behalf of USDA Rural Development at the State level. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include technical assistance for business development and economic development planning. To ensure that a broad range of communities have the opportunity to benefit from the program, no grant will exceed $50,000, unless it is a multi-State project where funds may not exceed $150,000. There is no match requirement. As indicated in the summary, these limits do not apply to specified funding for Native American, Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Rural Economic Area Partnerships. Applications are due by April 30, 2009 - this deadline was extended from Mar 30.


Who is eligible?
Rural public bodies, rural nonprofit corporations, rural Indian tribes, and cooperatives with primarily rural members that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the membership are eligible provided they have sufficient financial strength and expertise to carry out the activity to be funded.

What types of projects are eligible?
The RBOG program is primarily a training and technical assistance program. Funds may be provided for development of export markets; feasibility studies; development of long term trade strategies; community economic development planning; business training and business based technical assistance for rural entrepreneurs and business managers; establishment of rural business incubators; and assistance with technology based economic development. The types of projects that may be funded might include identification/ analysis of business opportunities that will utilize local material and human resources; provision of leadership development training to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; business support centers; centers for training, technology and export trade; and, economic development planning.

How to Apply
To apply for funding for the RBOG program, please contact your Rural Development State Office.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP-2009-RBOG
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Mar 18, 2009
Creation Date: Mar 18, 2009
Original Closing Date for Applications: Mar 31, 2009
Current Closing Date for Applications: Apr 30, 2009 The deadline for the receipt of applications in the Rural Development State Office is March 31, 2009. The RBOG appropriation for fiscal year 2009 provides specific funding for Native American, Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities and Rural Economic Area Partnership, and these applications must also be received in the Rural Development State Office by March 31, 2009. The Agency reserves the right to extend this application deadline. Any applications received after this date will not be considered for FY 2009 funding.
Archive Date: Apr 30, 2009
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Agriculture
Business and Commerce
Community Development
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards: 49
Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,483,000
Award Ceiling: $150,000
Award Floor: $50,000
CFDA Number(s): 10.773 -- Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rbog.htm