BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE

(03/20/2006)

USDA Rural Development State Director Robert M. Steptoe, III, announces the availability of competitive grants of up to $50,000 per application from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program for Fiscal Year 2006. For multi-state projects, grant funds of up to $150,000 will be available on a competitive basis. The primary objective of the Rural Business Opportunity Grant 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. A total of $990,000 of non-earmarked funds is available for this program for Fiscal Year 2006. A total of $990,000 has been earmarked for Native Americans, and a total of $990,000 earmarked for Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities and Rural Economic Area Partnerships. There is no project dollar amount limitation on applications for earmarked funds. The deadline for the receipt of applications in the Rural Development State Office is May 26, 2006. Any applications received after that date will not be considered for Fiscal Year 2006 funding. For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact John Comerci, Rural Business and Cooperative Programs Specialist, 481 Ragland Road, Beckley, WV 25801, telephone 304-253-9597 (extension 146), fax 304-252-5809, or TTY/TDD 304-284-4836. Completed applications should be mailed to the West Virginia Rural Development State Office, 75 High Street, Suite 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500.

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