Rural economic development grant - electric farm bill

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation received a $250,000 Project Grant from the Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) under the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDLG) program (CFDA 10.854) on July 15, 2025, with a completion date of July 15, 2027. The grant supports rural economic development initiatives in North Carolina through Blue Ridge Electric, which functions as a pass-through intermediary utility organization. Grant-funded activities typically include conducting project feasibility studies, providing business start-up capital, operating business incubator services, and delivering technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs and development projects within the cooperative's service territory.

As a non-profit electric cooperative serving rural North Carolina communities, Blue Ridge Electric leverages REDLG program funding to stimulate job creation and sustainable economic growth in underserved regions. The zero-interest financing mechanism enables the cooperative to distribute capital to eligible rural businesses and development projects with demonstrated employment generation potential. This award reflects the Rural Business Cooperative Services' confidence in Blue Ridge Electric's capacity to effectively administer federal resources, consistent with the organization's track record of securing REDLG awards ranging from $141,700 to $300,000 and managing community resilience and economic development initiatives.