Nebraska Ag Connection - USDA RD Recognizes Native American Heritage Month

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USDA RD Recognizes Native American Heritage Month
Nebraska Ag Connection - 12/01/2016

USDA Rural Development recognizes the importance of partnerships with Nebraska Native American tribes, villages and cities, non-profits, community colleges and other organizations that include in their service area Native Americans residing in Nebraska. These partners work together to meet the business and economic development needs to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Nebraska. Rural Development's Native American earmark funding and regular source funding have provided financial assistance to 11 different partners impacting approximately 200 businesses, creating more than 300 jobs and saving another 70 plus jobs.

Nebraska Native Americans have received technical assistance for food businesses and farmers' markets, help to gain organic certification and to purchase equipment for food preparation, processing and storage. Rural Development funds have provided education and training to main street businesses and Native American artists. Funds have been used for feasibility studies, strategic planning, tourism plans and marketing. Projects have included construction, renovation and equipment for business incubators and training facilities. Recipients have used funding for downtown business revitalization planning, planning for industrial parks, business and community facility development.

Rural Development programs and funding opportunities are available in rural areas under 50,000 population, Native American earmark and non-earmark funding sources are available. Programs include:

- Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) designed to support activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses. Native American earmark funding is available.

- Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) provides low-interest loans to eligible applicants to re-lend to businesses and for community development projects. Native American earmark funding is available.

- Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) provides loans and grants to eligible applicants to provide microloans, training and technical assistance to microbusiness for startup and growth.

- Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of a variety of products.

- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

For information on Rural Development programs visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs. To discuss applicant or project eligibility contact Brant Richardson at 402-437-5568 or brant.richardson@ne.usda.gov.

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