Residents of rural Georgia are eligible for many USDA grants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program administers housing and business grant programs in Georgia to promote rural economic development. From fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2010, the USDA invested $1.2 billion in rural Georgia on a host of initiatives, including affordable housing development, improved sewage services and renewable energy projects.
As of 2010, Georgia Rural Development grants are available in these areas: rural business enterprise, rural business opportunity, rural cooperative development, rural economic development, technical assistance, home repair and housing preservation.
Determine Your Area of Need
Rural Development grants spur industry, affordable housing and community services.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers Rural Development grants in four categories. Rural Business and Cooperative Service grants promote and support local businesses through strategic private/public partnerships. Most Georgia Rural Development grant opportunities fall in this category.
Community Program grants provide financial assistance for rural municipal sewage and water systems. Rural Housing Program grants provide assistance to repair and rehabilitate rural single-family homes. Multifamily Program grants provide grant assistance to repair and rehabilitate multifamily rental units.
Consider Rural Georgia Business Grants
Agri-business can bring new economic growth to rural communities.
Rural Business Enterprise Grants are made to public bodies or private nonprofit organizations. These grants support small emerging private businesses in rural areas. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees and projected annual revenue less than $1 million. Grant funds should be used to provide third-party financing, land acquisition, technical assistance, etc.
Rural Business Opportunity Grants are made to nonprofit corporations, public bodies, Indian tribes and rural cooperatives. These grants fund sustainable economic efforts in areas with acute need. Target communities may have experienced a natural disaster, cyclical poverty, economic decline or a combination of factors. Funding may be used to identify economic opportunity, establish job training, support rural entrepreneurship, etc.
Rural Cooperative Development Grants are made to nonprofit institutions including institutions of higher education. These grants fund the creation or improvement of rural cooperative organizations by establishing rural cooperative centers.
Value Added Producer loans and grants are made to agriculture commodity producers and farming/ranching cooperatives. These grants are used to encourage processing raw agricultural commodities into consumer goods--for example, processing corn into ethanol.
Rural Economic Development Grants are made to Rural Utilities Service Electric and Telephone borrowers. These grants stimulate economic activity and jobs in rural communities.
Consider Rural Georgia Community Services Grants
Many rural areas need updated wastewater and sewage systems.
Technical Assistance Grants are made to public bodies, including multi-jurisdictional government bodies. These grants fund training and technical assistance for wastewater and sewage disposal facilities.
Consider Rural Georgia Housing Grants
Very-low-income homeowners may qualify for grant assistance.
Single Family Housing Repair Grants are made to very-low-income owners of single-family homes. These grants can be used to modernize, upgrade and remove unsafe/hazardous structures from a home.
Consider Rural Georgia Multifamily Housing Grants
Housing Preservation Grants are made to public bodies or non-profit organizations. These grant funds the repair and rehabilitation of rental properties for low-income rural tenants.
Contact Georgia USDA Offices
Contact your local USDA office (see Resources). Employees at the offices will walk you through the application process and find the best program for your project needs.
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