LINCOLN – USDA Rural Development announces the availability of $6.3 million in rural community development initiative (RCDI) grants designed to support rural economic and community development efforts.  

 

“The RCDI program is broad based and assistance can be provided to rural Nebraska in many different aspects,” stated Denise Brosius-Meeks, community programs director, USDA Rural Development.  “This program is for capacity development in rural communities and provides the train the trainer type aspect.”

 

RCDI grants are provided to qualified intermediary organizations (private nonprofits, low-income communities, and federally recognized tribes).  These intermediaries assist nonprofits, community-based housing and development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and low-income communities located in rural areas (population 50,000 or less), via financial and technical assistance, in developing their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. 

 

Intermediaries are required to provide matching funds at least equal to the value of the USDA grants.  Minimum grant is $50,000, maximum $300,000.  Funding of selected applicants will be contingent upon meeting conditions of the grant agreement. 

 

Grants may be used for staffing to provide technical assistance, developing the capacity of recipients in conducting community development programs, i.e. homeownership education or business entrepreneur training; carrying out development initiatives, i.e. micro enterprise, cooperative and sustainable development; increasing leveraging ability and access to alternative funding sources through training and staffing; and providing financial and technical assistance for community facilities.  Grants may also assist in completing predevelopment requirements by providing resources for professional services, i.e. architectural, engineering or legal fees; in building on organizational capacity via training and resource materials for developing strategic plans, board operation, management, financial systems, and information technology.

 

The June 26, 2009, Federal Register Volume 74, Number 122, pages 30510-30520 accessible at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html contains program requirements and application information.  Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm for application requirements and an application package. Completed applications should be mailed to USDA Rural Development, Attn. Community Programs, Rm. 152 Federal Bldg, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE  68508.  Application deadline is 4 p.m. local time, September 24, 2009. Please contact Troy Gagner (402) 437-5556 or Denise Brosius-Meeks (402) 437-5559 if you have questions regarding this program. (Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.)