RBEG Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications are currently being accepted for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program, which is available to public bodies, nonprofits, and Indian tribes to facilitate and finance the development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas. "Rural" is applicable to those communities up to 50,000 in population. The RBEG Program is aimed towards developing businesses which will employ 50 or less people, with less than $1 million in projected revenues. Projects focusing on the following areas are encouraged:

• Renewable energy
• Local food systems and value-added agriculture
• Great regions: multi-county or multi-state projects that will establish best practices in the area of regional economic and community development
• Support of cooperatives
• Business programs in persistent poverty counties including: Catron, Cibola, Dona Ana, Guadalupe, Luna, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Juan, San Miguel, Socorro, and Taos.
• Underserved populations such as minority and women-owned businesses

More information on the RBEG program can be obtained from the Rural Development State Office in Albuquerque at 505-761-4953 or at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html

via eastmountains.kob.com

Speculations anyone?