USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grants RBEG

Support entrepreneurs and small businesses with RBEG funds from the USDA Rural Development. These funds are exceptionally flexible for economic development projects. Eligible uses include:

Economic development projects are eligible
for RBEG funding from USDA.

• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; 
• Construction, conversion, renovation, of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities; 
• Pollution control and abatement; 
• Capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; 
• Training and technical assistance; 
• Distance adult learning for job training and advancement; 
• Rural transportation improvement; 
• And project planning. 

Any project funded under the RBEG program should benefit small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Small and emerging private businesses are those that will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues.

Towns with population of fewer than 50,000 are eligible. Grants usually range from $10,000 to $500,000 and smaller projects get higher priority. Applications can be made at local USDA Rural Development offices.