USDA Rural Development is seeking applications by March 30th for the FY 2012 Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program in North Dakota. Rural public bodies, Indian tribes, and private nonprofit corporations serving rural areas are eligible to apply. There is no maximum level of grant funding. However, smaller projects are given higher priority. Generally grants range from $10,000 up to $500,000. The RBEG program is a broad based program that reaches to the core of rural development in a number of ways. Examples of eligible funding use include: Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation, of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities; pollution control and abatement; capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; training and technical assistance; distance adult learning for job training and advancement; rural transportation improvement; and project planning. Any project funded under the RBEG program should benefit small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Small and emerging private businesses are those that will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues. If you have any questions please contact Dennis Rodin, Business and Cooperative Services Program Director, at 701-530-2065 or dennis.rodin@nd.usda.gov.

Community Facilities - loans and grants
 Rural communities are faced with many challenges. One challenge is obtaining the financial resources necessary to construct new municipal buildings or purchase vehicles and equipment. The current Federal budget cycle is one showing a decline in funding for many programs. One program that did see a substantial increase of funding this year was Rural Development's Community Facilities direct loan program. Rural Development's Community Facilities program is able to provide direct and guarantee loans and/or grants for essential community based projects. The interest rate can be as low as 3.75%. All applications are first considered for loan funds based on the ability to repay a debt. Grant funds may be applied to assist with keeping payments in reach of a community's financial resources. Eligibility is determined by the Median Household Income (MHI) for the service area of the project. Rural communities interested in locating funding for improving their emergency vehicles and equipment are encouraged to visit the Rural Development Community Facilities web page or contact mark.wax@nd.usda.gov.