Tuesday, October 4th 2016
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding 29 grants totaling $5.8 million to help rural cooperatives create jobs and support business expansion. The funds are being provided through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, which helps fund non-profit groups, such as rural cooperative development centers and higher education institutions. Sam Rikkers, Administrator of USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service, announced the 29 awardees on Vilsack's behalf during a visit today to the Ohio Cooperative Development Center (OCDC) at Ohio State University's South Centers campus in Piketon. OCDC is receiving a $199,984 grant to help businesses and individuals in rural Ohio and West Virginia explore cooperative opportunities in several industries, including energy and wood products. Today's announcement is part of USDA's observance of National Cooperative Month. Each year in October, the Department highlights the economic impact and innovation of cooperative businesses, particularly in rural communities. Projects in 22 states are receiving RCDG funding. Funding for each project announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement. Several of the grants support technical assistance to strengthen local and regional food systems. Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested close to $1 billion in 40,000 local food-related projects on farms and in communities across the country. USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) Initiative coordinates the Department's work to develop strong local and regional food systems. Please view the KYF2 website and use the KYF2 Compass to locate USDA investments in your community. USDA has provided $50.5 million for 257 cooperative grants for projects nationwide since the start of the Obama Administration. This funding has helped more than 4,700 businesses. In Fiscal Year 2015, Oregon's Community and Shelter Assistance Corporation received a $200,000 RCDG grant to provide technical assistance and training to seven manufactured housing cooperatives. The funds helped owners of manufactured dwellings form non-profit cooperatives to convert their parks from investor-owned into resident-owned, creating safe and affordable dwellings, and stabilized communities.