Rural Business Development Grants in Michigan

The Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) program in Michigan is designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural communities. The program provides financial support through enterprise grants and opportunity grants that promote sustainable economic growth, foster job creation, and help strengthen rural business ecosystems.

Eligible applicants include rural public bodies, municipal and county governments, state agencies, authorities, higher education institutions, federally recognized Native American tribes, and nonprofit entities. Grants must benefit rural areas or rural communities located outside the boundaries of any incorporated city or town with a population of 50,000 or more. The ultimate beneficiaries must be small and emerging private businesses that have gross revenues of less than $1 million and fewer than 50 new workers.

Eligible projects include technical assistance, business counseling and training, market analysis, feasibility studies, community economic development planning, the establishment of revolving loan funds, and the acquisition or development of land, equipment, or business facilities. Funds cannot be used directly for agricultural production or for standard, ongoing business operating expenses.

Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development Michigan State Office. Applicants are encouraged to consult with Michigan USDA Rural Development staff prior to application submission to confirm project eligibility, verify rural service boundaries, and review application packaging and priority scoring criteria.