Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program in Michigan

The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) supports the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. The program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to support small rural businesses that typically employ 10 or fewer full-time employees.

Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education that function as MDOs. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity and experience delivering training, technical assistance, or microloan financing to rural businesses.

Eligible projects include capitalizing microloan revolving funds to make loans directly to rural microentrepreneurs for business startup or expansion costs, as well as providing technical assistance, financial education, and business coaching.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis by USDA Rural Development and evaluated quarterly throughout the federal fiscal year. Applicants in Michigan should coordinate directly with the USDA Rural Development Michigan State Office.