Rural cooperative development grants

This $200,000 Project Grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service and Rural Business Cooperative Services under the Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG) program (CFDA 10.771). The funding will support the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska in providing technical assistance, training, feasibility studies, and business planning services to help establish, expand, or enhance rural cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses across various sectors, including agriculture, fishing, utilities, retail, and credit unions. The award focuses on improving economic conditions in rural areas, with a particular emphasis on supporting minority producers and communities experiencing persistent poverty. This one-year grant, with a performance period from August 6, 2024 to August 6, 2024, will leverage the University of Nebraska's expertise in research, education, and technical services to deliver impactful economic development initiatives for rural cooperative enterprises.