Unlock $15M for Rural Business Growth & Innovation!
Summary
This challenge offers up to $15 million in combined funding across 20 regions to boost innovation and job creation in rural areas. Eligible businesses can receive support for high-potential industry clusters like renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and food production to accelerate growth and competitiveness.
Eligibility
Full Description
The Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge offers a combination of $15 million in funding from 4 agencies, including the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority. Funding will be awarded in approximately 20 regions through a competitive inter-agency grant process.
In addition, the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge leverages existing technical assistance resources from 9 federal agencies and bureaus to promote economic growth in rural regions and accelerate innovation-fueled job creation and global competitiveness. This opportunity will support customized solutions targeted to address the gaps and opportunities specific for individual regions by strengthening linkages to self-identified, high-potential industry clusters such as renewable energy, natural resources, food production, rural tourism, and advanced manufacturing.