Rural business development grants - disaster (rbdg e disaster) grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) awarded Ark-Tex Council of Governments a $350,000 Rural Business Development Grant (CFDA 10.351) on September 29, 2025, with a completion date of September 29, 2027. This project grant funds business development services and technical assistance to small and emerging private enterprises across Ark-Tex's nine-county Northeast Texas and one-county Southwest Arkansas service area. Deliverables include feasibility studies, business counseling, market research, and workforce development training designed to promote sustainable economic development and job creation in rural communities.

The Rural Business Development Grant program targets small and emerging private businesses employing 50 or fewer new employees with less than $1 million in projected gross revenue. As an eligible intermediary organization, Ark-Tex will provide direct assistance to qualifying rural enterprises rather than making funds available directly to businesses. The award aligns with program priorities to support projects in low-income communities, preserve existing jobs, and create employment opportunities in areas experiencing high unemployment.