Rbdg rural business coop rural enterprise grant

Award Summary

Kansas Wesleyan University received a $100,000 Rural Business Development Grant (CFDA 10.351) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services, awarded September 30, 2025, with performance extending through September 30, 2027. This Project Grant funds technical assistance and capacity-building services to support sustainable economic development and job creation in rural communities. As an intermediary grantee, Kansas Wesleyan University will provide technical assistance and support to small and emerging private businesses in rural Kansas that meet program eligibility criteria of 50 or fewer new employees and less than $1 million in projected gross revenue.

The funded initiative aligns with the Rural Business Development Grant program's core mission to promote economic development in underserved rural areas. Kansas Wesleyan University's demonstrated expertise in rural economic development and workforce education positions the institution to deliver targeted assistance that addresses workforce needs and business growth opportunities within rural Kansas communities. The two-year funding period enables sustained engagement with rural business enterprises and supporting organizations throughout the grant performance period.