The Rural Business Development Grant program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in annual gross revenues.

RBDG grants may be for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, feasibility studies and business plans, distance learning networks, employment related adult education programs and more.

Eligible applicants include rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation); state government agencies, towns, and communities; nonprofit corporations; institutions of higher learning; and Federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses are ineligible for the RBDG program.

An active SAM registration is a requirement of a complete RBDG application. Visit the System for Award Management (SAM) webpage to complete your registration. If you are already registered at SAM.gov, you do not need to reapply. Neither SAM registration nor applying for the RBDG program cost money, but they can take time.

If you would like to request an RBDG application or have questions, please contact Lynelle Barber at (307) 233-6721.