**FY2021 USDA Rural Business Development Grant(RBDG) – Applications Being Accepted!**

RBDG program provides grant funds to eligible entities (Public Body/Government Entity, Indian Tribe or Nonprofit Entity) for use in funding various business opportunity and business enterprise projects that serve rural areas.

The following information is included with the email to provide additional information about the RBDG program and how to file an application.

1. RBDG Fact Sheet. – Provides a program overview.
2. RBDG Web Site Link. – Web link to RBDG Information.  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants .
3. RBDG applications are being accepted now.  Applications can be submitted via grants.gov, or  Rural Development will accept emailed, or hardcopy (paper) applications delivered by mail or in person, no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 26, 2021.
4. RBDG Application Guide & Checklist – This is a template that may be used to develop an application for RBDG funds.  It is a fillable Word doc.  This email also has additional forms attached which will be needed for the application to be deemed complete.  When proposing the budget, please use whole dollar amounts (such as $5.00), no cents.

Montana typically receives a limited allocation of RBDG funds on an annual basis to fund Montana projects which means usually there is insufficient funding to award every application submitted for funding consideration.  To maximize the impact of limited funds and to stretch funds as far as possible Montana has historically reached projects that have the following parameters:

• average size RBDG grant was just under $30,000 last year;
• a firm commitment of cash matching funds from non-federal sources was included.  NOTE: while not required, the average match size was ~1:1 to grant request;
• job creation/retention was documented by the business(s) assisted.

To be competitive when applying for RBDG funds, proposed projects should approximate these levels.

Thank you for your interest in Rural Development’s programs.  Of course, the Montana RBCS Team is ready to serve you but please also contact me should you have any questions.

LAD

Lad R. Barney

Business & Cooperative Programs Director – Montana

Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

Direct: 406-309-3350

Cell:  406-309-0667

http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt | “Together, America Prospers”

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