Notice

USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities

January 9th, 2024

USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2024 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities.

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program encourages regional, innovation-driven approaches to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income and underserved rural communities.

For fiscal year 2024, the program is making approximately $2 million available to partnerships of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets.

To learn more, read full STAKEHOLDER ANNOUCEMENT.