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USDA Expands Eligibility for Tribes Under the Rural Business Development Grants Program

USDA Expands Eligibility for Tribes Under the Rural Business Development Grants Program

Changes Take Effect on Jan. 16, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development today announced that USDA is expanding eligibility for Tribes under the Rural Business Development Grants program. This program creates jobs, spurs economic growth and supports enterprise projects in rural and Tribal communities.

On Jan. 16, 2024, new and expanded eligibility definitions will take effect under the program to enable more Tribal government-owned entities to qualify for funding.

For instance, USDA is:

  • Expanding the “Small and Emerging Business” definition to include Tribal governments and Tribal-owned organizations,
  • Clarifying the definition for “Conflict of Interest” to explain how the agency defines the relationship between Tribal nations and their Tribal-owned entities.
  • Codifying the “Indian Tribe” and “Tribal” definitions to include Tribal governments and/or Federally Recognized Tribes.

For more information, visit page 86566 of the Dec. 14, 2023, Federal Register.

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