Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Multipurpose, Cleanup and Assessment Brownfield Grants
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides grants to carry out a wide range of eligible assessment, cleanup, planning and community involvement activities to support community health within an eligible area, such as a neighborhood, town, district or census tract. Application Deadline: Oct. 28, 2020

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
USDA Rural Development grant and loan/grant opportunities for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements, such as the installation of solar panels for hospitals or clinics, to improve energy costs. Application Deadline: Nov. 2, 2020 or March 31, 2021.

Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions Grant Pilot Program
USDA Rural Development grant to help develop innovative treatment solutions of regional wastewater systems in rural America. Application Deadline: Nov. 4, 2020

New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program
U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) offers tax incentives for investments in business and economic development projects in distressed rural and urban counties, including capital investments in health care facilities. Application Deadline: Nov. 16, 2020

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities & Flood Mitigation Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers funding for eligible activities to strengthen the nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness by reducing disaster losses and protecting life and property from future damages. Application Deadlines: Jan. 29, 2021

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

Economic Development

Capacity Building Program for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is making grants available to assist in maintaining and expanding capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach/extension activities related to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Application Deadline: Oct. 28, 2020

Local Foods, Local Places
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and USDA invite communities to apply for technical assistance to help revitalize their economy, promote local foods, improve health, and protect the environment with communities revitalizing neighborhoods through development of local food systems. Application Deadline: Oct. 30, 2020.

Advanced Biofuel Payment Program
USDA Rural Development offers this program to expand the production of advanced biofuel by providing payments to eligible producers. Examples of advanced biofuel include biodiesel, ethanol (other than corn kernel), electricity and biogas produced from anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels. Application Deadline: Oct. 31, 2020

H-1B One Workforce Grant Program
U.S. Department of Labor program supports training for middle to high skilled H-1B occupations within key sectors in the U.S. economy, including information technology and cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation, to upskill the present workforce and train a new generation of workers to grow the future workforce. Application Deadline: Nov. 12, 2020

Rural Health Network Development Planning Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making grants available to help plan and develop integrated rural health care networks to improve efficiency; expand access coordinate, improve the quality of essential health care services, and strengthen the rural health care system. Application Deadline: Nov. 16, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development:

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: Main Street Lending Program