BANGOR — United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel has announced $290,000 is now available for business development projects in Maine’s rural communities through the agency’s Rural Business Development Grant program.

“The RBDG program helps provide rural areas of the state with additional means for pursuing diverse economic development opportunities, which can lead to job creation and the strengthening of local economies,” Manuel said.

Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit corporations and Native American tribes who can utilize these funds for the benefit of private, small-business enterprises in the communities they serve. Project types can range from real property development and equipment acquisition, to technical assistance, planning and training, to revolving loan fund capitalization.

The grant award process is competitive, and priorities are established for: leveraging other resources, areas of economic distress, lower populations, higher unemployment, lower incomes, experience of the applicant, small-business start-up or expansion, job creation and supporting agency initiatives. Projects that support strategic multi-jurisdictional development, the bioeconomy, local and regional food systems, renewable energy and high-poverty areas are typically looked upon favorably. Grant awards are generally under $100,000 each.

All areas of the state are considered rural and eligible for this program, with the exceptions of Portland and the surrounding parts of Falmouth, Westbrook, Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.

Applications for RBDG Native-American funding are due to the USDA Rural Development Maine state office by April 15. All other applications for the RBDG program are due by May 2. For questions or more information on how to apply, contact Brian Wilson at 207-990-9168 or [email protected].

USDA Rural Development has area offices in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston and Scarborough, as well as a state office in Bangor.

FMI: www.rd.usda.gov/me.