Rural economic development grant - electric farm bill

Tri-County Electric Membership Corp received a $300,000 Project Grant awarded on July 15, 2025, under the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDLG) program (CFDA 10.854), administered by the Rural Business Cooperative Services division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant supports a two-year performance period concluding July 15, 2027, with performance activities based in North Carolina.

Under this award, Tri-County Electric Membership Corp functions as an intermediary pass-through entity, distributing grant funds to support rural economic development initiatives and job creation within its service territory. Eligible uses of the funding include project feasibility studies, business start-up costs, business incubator projects, and other reasonable expenses designed to foster rural entrepreneurship. The organization leverages these zero-interest grant resources to provide capital access to rural businesses and development projects that demonstrate potential for employment generation and sustainable economic development in underserved communities.