People and groups in rural North Carolina may be eligible for USDA grants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees community development grants for rural areas. These grants are administered at the state level and, in North Carolina, the grants are coordinated out of Raleigh. Most grant opportunities are open to recognized groups such as Indian tribes and non-profit organizations, but there is also some grant money available to people in small, poor communities.
Economic Development
People and groups who want to start businesses that create jobs in a rural area or boost the local economy may be eligible for a USDA economic development grant. An applicant must be able to match 20 percent of the grant funding up-front. Grants are also available for farmers and agricultural cooperatives to help determine whether developing value-added products would benefit the local economy. An example of a value-added product is peanuts that have been turned into peanut butter rather than sold raw in bags.
Housing
USDA grants are available for both single-family and multi-family housing in North Carolina. A resident of a rural community of 10,000 people or less who is at least 62 years old and deemed unable to repay a loan may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,500 to make repairs on an existing home. The applicant must have income that is half or less of the county's median income. Farmers and organizations who would like to provide rental housing for farm workers can apply for farm labor housing grants to build or repair shelter.
Utilities
USDA rural development grants are available for small governments and Indian tribes to institute projects such as water treatment and waste disposal and to set up networks for distance learning and telecommunications for institutions such as hospitals and rural schools.
Tags: North Carolina, applicant must, eligible USDA, grants available, Indian tribes, local economy, People groups
