Rural cooperative development grants

The University of Nebraska was awarded a $200,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services on September 27, 2023. This grant under the CFDA 10.771 program is funding the university's Cooperative Development Center to provide technical assistance, training, feasibility studies, business planning, and other services to individuals and organizations establishing or enhancing rural cooperative enterprises across Nebraska. The project aims to improve economic conditions in rural areas by supporting the startup, expansion, and operational improvement of a variety of cooperative business models, including in the agriculture, fishing, utilities, retail, and credit union sectors. The grant will enable the university's Cooperative Development Center to deliver these services over a one-year period ending on September 27, 2023.