Rural Readiness Grant Program

The Rural Readiness Grant Program (RRGP), administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Office of Rural Prosperity, supports planning and capacity-building efforts that prepare rural communities for future investment and larger funding opportunities. The program funds collaborative projects that address local priorities such as housing, broadband, energy, transportation, health, infrastructure, economic development, and workforce. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt nonprofits, local units of government (including school districts and authorities), Federally Recognized Tribes, educational institutions (universities and community colleges), and regional planning/economic or workforce development organizations; projects must benefit eligible rural areas, with non-metropolitan counties automatically eligible and metropolitan communities able to self-identify as rural by citing a qualifying state or federal program. State agencies are not eligible. Competitive projects include capacity-building initiatives, development readiness activities (e.g., site studies and inventories), multi-jurisdictional partnerships and planning, and cross-sector collaboration. The application process required an LOI by 06/30/2025, after which selected applicants were invited to submit full applications due 09/15/2025 at 3:00 p.m. EDT; full applications included a detailed budget and at least three letters of support. Awards are cost-reimbursement grants with a minimum request of $10,000 and a maximum of $50,000, require a minimum 20% match (30% if building on a prior RRGP award), run for up to 18 months with up to six reimbursement requests, and require quarterly check-ins and a final report.