2018 farm bill- northern border great plains grant- discretionary

The Northern Border Regional Commission received a $2.0 million Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program (CFDA 10.351) on August 7, 2025, with a completion date of August 7, 2027. This award is designated as a 2018 Farm Bill Northern Border Great Plains Grant and supports economic development initiatives in rural communities across New Hampshire and the northern border region.

The grant funds comprehensive business development and technical assistance services designed to support small and emerging private businesses with 50 or fewer new employees and less than $1.0 million in projected gross revenue. The Northern Border Regional Commission, as an intermediary entity, will deliver targeted services including business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, workforce development training, and capacity-building assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses in underserved rural communities. These services are strategically designed to create and preserve jobs, support business growth, and facilitate sustainable economic development in areas with elevated unemployment rates and significant low-income populations across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.