Notice

USDA Offers Grants for Programs to Create High-Wage Jobs and New Businesses in Underserved Rural Communities

January 20th, 2023

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2023

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities. 

The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program provides grants for job accelerator partnerships that will serve people in low-income and underserved rural communities.

For fiscal year 2023, the RISE program is making $2 million available to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. The funding may be used to support innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, form new businesses, and identify and maximize local assets.

To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.