USDA Rural Development annually funds two programs which help cooperatives. The Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) and the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG). The purpose of the RCDG is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers. The purpose of the SDGG is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers.
The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center (NCDC) has been a multiple year recipient of both RCDG and SDGG funds. Assistance to community owned grocery stores is an option when a community lose their grocery and need is significant to re-establish this retail outlet. NCDC has recently developed a six-week Homecare Worker Cooperative Academy designed to assist caregivers through the cooperative development process. Additional examples of cooperatives assisted by NCDC can be found on their website. If you are interested in more information about the Homecare Worker Cooperative Academy, cooperative business structure or are an existing Cooperative considering expansion contact the NCDC at https://ncdc.unl.edu/.
For information on USDA Rural Development, we encourage you to review this link https://www.rd.usda.gov/for Rural Development program descriptions and then contact us to discuss your project in more detail. USDA Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs Division, Business Programs Specialist, Deborah Drbal at 402-437-5558 or deborah.drbal@usda.gov.
Categories: Nebraska, Business, Government & Policy