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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will accept proposals through Nov. 19.

October 9, 2020

2 Min Read
Grain silos at a family farm rise above a late summer cornfield in southern Michigan.
GRANTS AVAILABLE: The Rural Development Fund grants are available for projects addressing expansion and sustainability of land-based industries, including food and agriculture. wbrianwatkins/Getty Images

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is now accepting proposals for Rural Development Fund grants, a competitive grant program aimed at promoting the sustainability of land-based industries and supporting infrastructure that benefits rural communities in Michigan.     

The Rural Development Fund grants are available for projects addressing expansion and sustainability of land-based industries; worker training related to land-based industries; and energy, transportation, housing, communications, water and wastewater infrastructure to benefit rural communities and micropolitan statistical areas (defined by the U.S. Department of Management and Budget as an area or county with at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000 population).

Specific projects for consideration may include projects that lead to the expansion and location of meat and poultry processing facilities, if in an eligible area.

Land-based industries includes food and agriculture; forestry; mining; oil and gas production; and tourism. Eligible counties include those with a population of no greater than 60,000 residents or micropolitan statistical areas. For a complete list of eligible counties, visit michigan.gov/mdardgrants.

The proposals will be evaluated through a competitive process. The maximum limit on project grant fund requests is $100,000. The total allotment of funding for the current year is about $1.4 million. All proposals require at least a 30% cash match. Applicants for grant funds will be asked to describe how the project will affect and produce measurable outcomes for rural communities.

Those interested in applying for the grant program should visit michigan.gov/mdardgrants to view the application and program guidelines.

Any additional communications concerning this request for proposals should be sent to [email protected]. Proposals must be received at the same email address no later than 3 p.m. Eastern time Nov. 19. 

Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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