USDA is awarding $7.6 million in grants to support projects that will grow opportunity in rural America through job training and economic development. The grants will support communities in at least 24 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with several projects spanning communities in multiple states.

USDA is awarding $7.6 million in grants to support projects that will grow opportunity in rural America through job training and economic development. (Photo: borzaya/Thinkstock)

"These awards will help bolster local and regional food systems, tap into the tourism potential that proximity to America's beautiful natural resources provides, and help individuals learn new job skills. All of these efforts are part of USDA's strategy for a strong rural economy and will help to sustain the recovery that we have begun to see in our smallest towns,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

USDA is awarding the funding through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) and Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) programs.

RCDI grants help community-based development organizations, federally-recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic development in low-income, rural communities. The grants are awarded to public or nonprofit entities that are skilled in economic development and rural job creation. Recipients are required to provide matching funds for this program.

The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program provides technical assistance to cooperatives and other organizations that help socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance include leadership training, conducting feasibility studies and developing business and strategic plans.

One of today's awardees, the Tri-County Agricultural Cooperative in Charleston, Miss., is receiving a $175,000 SDGG grant to help 200 African-American farmers diversify their farms, improve their business plans and adopt improved production and management strategies.

In 2015, the Latino Economic Development Center received a $175,000 grant to help Hmong farmers in Minnesota implement more efficient production methods. While the Hmong farmers had traditionally sold their products at local farmers' markets, they were unable to access additional markets and receive a premium price for their products. The Center's technical assistance is helping the farmers to secure higher-paying customers and is creating a source of income outside of the relatively brief Minnesota farmers' market season.

Source: USDA