Rural Economic & Development Programs
The second half of Title 6 focuses on programs fostering rural economy and development.
Rural Business Development Grants
Funding: $65 to be made annually available through FY 2018.
History: This program is created with the 2014 Farm Bill as an amalgam of the Rural Business Opportunity and Rural Business Enterprise Grants.
Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Purpose: Provides grants to agricultural producers wishing to undertake projects that add value to their commodities and increase the producer's income. The program is administered by the USDA's Rural Development office.
Funding: Mandatory $63 million to be made available until expended, with an additional $40 million to be annually appropriated through FY 2018.
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Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program
Purpose: Technical assistance for producers in developing agricultural-based businesses based on value-added production.
Funding: $1 million to be annually appropriated through FY 2018.
Rural Cooperative Development Grants
Purpose: Funds grants that will improve the economic condition of rural areas by assisting individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other business entities. These grants are administered by the USDA's Rural Development office.
Funding: $40 million to be annually appropriated through FY 2018.
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Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
Purpose: Provides loan to finance business facilities and development projects that will alleviate poverty and increase economic activity and employment in rural communities. These loans are administered by the USDA's Rural Development office.
Funding: $25 million to be annually appropriated through FY 2018.
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Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Purpose: Provides grants to third-party entities that assist rural entrepreneurs in establishing microenterprises in rural areas. This program is administered by the USDA's Rural Development office.
Funding: Mandatory $3 million to be available each year through FY 2018, with $40 million in discretionary annual appropriations.
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Rural Business Investment Program
Purpose: To promote economic development in mostly rural areas by helping to meet the equity capital investment needs of smaller enterprises located in such areas. This program is administered by the USDA's Rural Development office.
Funding: $20 million to be annually appropriated throught FY 2018.
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