BOZEMAN, Mont., Feb. 2, 2022 – United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced Montana's recipients of fiscal year 2021's Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) and Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) funding.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside strong Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) and Cooperatives focused on creating jobs and economic prosperity throughout the state,” Williams said. “We are investing over half-a-million dollars to generate outreach, education and programming opportunities to help advance Montana's rural businesses.”
As part of Montana’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program:
- Montana Cooperative Development Center, in Great Falls, received $200,000 to fund operational costs and provide technical assistance to rural cooperatives in Montana; and
- Lake County Community Development Corporation (doing business as Mission West Community Development Partners), in Ronan, received $200,000 to improve the economic condition and assist in COVID-19 recovery of rural areas through cooperative development. This funding will help operate a cooperative development center to effectively deliver services to rural areas of Western Montana while providing technical assistance to new and emerging cooperatives.
Additionally, two organizations received funding through USDA RD Montana’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). These awards include:
- $37,775 for Montana Community Development Corporation, in Missoula, to provide technical assistance and training to rural micro-entrepreneurs and microenterprises throughout the state of Montana; and
- $64,407 for Lake County Community Development Corporation (doing business as Mission West Community Development Partners), to provide technical assistance and training to rural micro-entrepreneurs and microenterprises in Lake County.
The funding announced today will help people and businesses in diverse communities and industries throughout Montana. It will open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing. And it will help entrepreneurs and business cooperatives create jobs and flourish.
Background:
Nationwide, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted 751 investments that USDA is making in eight programs specifically designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas. CLICK HERE for a complete list of these awards.
For more information about RCDG or RMAP, or to apply, please contact Montana's Business and Cooperative Programs Director, Lad Barney, at (406) 309-3350 or lad.barney@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally, and advocate for rural America and provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Americans living and working in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.