We have curated a comprehensive list of grants and funding opportunities to support our Georgia Energy Cities. We aim to help our communities secure essential resources, advance existing industries, and attract new businesses. In this month’s update, we feature funding options tailored to meet specific community needs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

U.S. Department of Agriculture – USDA
Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)
Type: Grant
Deadline: 2/28/2025

The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants.

Opportunity type funds may be used for:

• Community economic development
• Technology-based economic development
• Feasibility studies and business plans
• Leadership and entrepreneur training
• Rural business incubators
• Long-term business strategic planning

Enterprise type funds may be used for:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or technical reports, or producer service improvements
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities
• Pollution control and abatement
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital
• Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students
• Rural transportation improvement
• Community economic development
• Technology-based economic development
• Feasibility studies and business plans
• Leadership and entrepreneur training
• Rural business incubators
• Long-term business strategic planning

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-business-development-grants-2

*Feature Image courtesy of US Department of Agriculture