USDA Awards Grants to Expand Opportunities For Entrepreneurs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Bob Morgan announced that the Department is investing $329,764 to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in rural Pennsylvania.

“The investments we’re announcing today demonstrate how USDA remains committed to helping rural businesses create new and better market opportunities,” Morgan said. “I would like to thank our local partner organizations involved in administering these funds to the rural small businesses that need them the most.”

The grant funds include five projects, one that will affect Blair County.

The Altoona Blair County Development Corporation in Blair County was awarded an investment of $16,297 through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program to support the ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. The funds will help provide capital to support its revolving loan fund used to educate, guide and instruct rural microentrepreneurs with the capacity building of skills necessary to operate a microbusiness. This is a non-competitive, annual renewal grant.

The funding will help keep resources and wealth made by rural people right at home through affordable financing and technical assistance. It will help rural Americans start businesses and allow small business owners to grow. It will also open the door to new economic opportunities for communities and people who historically have lacked access to critical resources and financing.