USDA offering grants for rural areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program announced the availability of $6 million in grants as part of the rural community development initiative. The initiative will assist in supporting rural areas with economic and community development.

"The RCDI program is broad-based, and assistance can be provided to rural Utah in many different aspects," said Bonnie Carrig, community programs director, USDA Rural Development in a news release. "If you have an idea or plan for technical assistance, please discuss it with us and we will determine how it may fit within our program guidelines."

Upon receiving grants, qualified intermediary organizations will help nonprofits, community-based housing and development organizations, federally- recognized Indian tribes and low-income communities in rural areas with a population of 50,000 people or less.

These intermediaries must provide matching funds equal to or greater than the USDA grants. Upon meeting grant agreements, selected applicants can receive a minimum grant of $50,000 and maximum of $300,000.

Grants may provide resources for professional services, the building of organizational capacity, the developing of strategic plans. The grants may also assist in operations, management, financial systems, and technology.

Applications can be found and filed in a variety of places including online at grants.gov, rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Or visit 125 S. State, Room 4311 or contact Patricia Maltsberger at patricia.maltsberger@ut.usda.gov or 801-524-4303.

The application deadline is Sept. 6.