Resources for 

Rural Entrepreneurs

A Guide to Planning, Adapting, 

and Growing Your Business

Together, America Prospers
Table of Contents

Introduction 3

How Rural Development Helps Entrepreneurs 4

Rural Entrepreneurs Share Their Success Stories 5 – 13

USDA Rural Development Resources 14 – 17

Assistance from Other Federal Agencies 18 – 19

Additional Resources 20 – 21

USDA Contact Information 21

Alphabetical Index to Programs and Resources 22 – 24

A Note About Website Links:

For ease of reference, this USDA Rural Development guide provides links to relevant, 

useful information hosted outside the USDA domain. Federal endorsement of non-USDA 

programs or activities is neither intended nor implied. Please be aware that, when you 

access information through a link provided here, you are subject to the copyright and 

licensing restrictions of the new site.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 3

Welcome to the USDA Rural Development 

Entrepreneur Resource Guide

USDA Rural Development (RD) is pleased to offer this multimedia guide to 

help rural entrepreneurs. In collaboration with our robust network of federal 

partners, this guide provides resources both for start-ups, and alreadyestablished rural businesses. 

RD offers more than 40 loan, grant, and technical assistance programs 

to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. Many of 

these programs can also support community-based entrepreneurial planning 

and growth. We partner closely with community leaders and developers, 

local, state, and Tribal governments, cooperatives, nonprofits, private 

organizations, and a nationwide network of participating lenders skilled at 

building local economies.
4 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Some of our programs – including the Value-Added Producer Grant

program (https://go.usa.gov/xtBBY), the Rural Energy for America Program

(REAP) – (https://go.usa.gov/xtBBD, and https://go.usa.gov/xtBBZ), and 

the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee program (https://go.usa.gov/

xtBBK) – can directly support entrepreneurs, as well as the public agencies 

and community-based organizations that serve them.

Here are some examples:

Partnership organizations can use our programs to support 

rural small businesses – such as kitchen incubators – that help 

start-ups defray costs by sharing space and equipment.

Individual rural businesses can make improvements – 

including energy efficiency upgrades such as LED lighting and 

solar panels – that help strengthen the bottom line.

Partners and individual businesses both can benefit from 

programs such as the Distance Learning and Telemedicine 

Grant (https://go.usa.gov/xtBBy) which supports telehealth, 

equalizes access to education, and bolsters participation in 

programs that build rural broadband connectivity. In turn, this 

positively impacts online business sales and e-commerce.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 5

Value-Added Producer Grant

Florida

Video: Serenity Acres Farm Finds New Markets 

for Goat Goods

Together with her husband, Wayne, Julia Shewchuk 

operates Serenity Acres Farm, an Animal Welfare 

Approved (AWA) and certified goat dairy in Pinetta 

(Madison County) Florida. As a result of successful 

partnership outreach efforts by the Florida Extension 

Service, Serenity Acres used RD’s Value-Added 

Producer Grant (https://go.usa.gov/xtBBY), to help 

design and brand its highly-rated products.

Intermediary Relending Program

Montana 

Video: The Perfect “Collision” - Loan Helps Kalispell 

Man Realize Lifelong Dream

With support from RD’s Intermediary Relending 

Program (https://go.usa.gov/xtBkt), Montana West 

Economic Development helped Kalispell (Flathead 

County)-based Glacier Collision Worx owner Rick Crook 

realize a long-held dream of owning and operating his 

own auto body shop. 

Rural Business Development Grant

Utah 

Article: Good Things are Cooking in Southeastern Utah

This Price (Carbon County), Utah-based regional 

“foodpreneurs” project was made possible through a 

partnership between USDA Rural Development, the Utah 

Coal County Strike Team, and the Southeastern Utah 

Association of Local Governments and Southeastern Utah 

Economic Development District (SEUALG-SEUEDD).

Entrepreneurs Share Their Success Stories 
6 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Rural Energy for America Program 

Montana

Article: Upcycling Biz Goes Green, Gets Efficient

Carol Lynn Lapotka owns REcreate Designs, a Polson (Lake County), Montana-based artist co-op and small-batch 

manufacturing plant housed in a circa 1909 building. Lapotka used two USDA Rural Energy for America Program

(REAP) grants to incorporate green building practices into the historic space, upgrading windows and installing 

energy-efficient doors and lighting. 

Rural Energy for America Program Grant

Nevada 

With the help of a 2017 $253,405 Rural Energy for America grant, Mark Dunn developed and installed 

an off-grid technique to power his irrigation system. Dunn’s farm is off the electric grid, so he had to 

rely on diesel generators to power his irrigation systems. The grant enabled Dunn, the operator of 

Railroad Valley Farms in central Nevada, to install two 305 kW solar panel systems. These are now 

fully operational and irrigating two alfalfa fields covering a total of 500 acres. During 2019, its first full 

year in operation, the system produced a combined 223,400 kWh in solar mode, saving 16,385 gallons 

of diesel fuel. Last year, the price of diesel ran about $2.75 a gallon. Mark estimates he saved roughly 

$137,500 on diesel, and generated about 985,462 kilowatt hours of power! 
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 7

Value-Added Producer Grant

Oregon 

A $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) allowed a sustainable fishing cooperative to update its operations 

and compete more effectively in the modern marketplace. The Port Orford Sustainable Seafood Cooperative markets 

the products of a community-supported fishery that uses conservation practices to protect local seafood stocks from 

overfishing. They needed resources to market their products online and better manage their customer base. Awarded in 

2016, the VAPG enabled the co-op to build an online shop, allowing it to efficiently manage its customer base, update 

its brand, and publicize its products and its sustainable approach to harvesting food from the sea. The result has been 

economic growth and more jobs in a small coastal community.
8 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Business and Industry Loan 

Guarantee Program

Oregon 

A $2.7 million B&I loan guarantee to a regional loan fund 

provided a local service organization with the resources it 

needed to meet the needs of an underserved population 

of people with disabilities. Klamath Falls REACH is 

a nonprofit in southern Oregon that provides work, 

rehabilitation, and training for people with disabilities and 

other barriers to employment. In 2015, a study found 

that about 500 people in the county were eligible for 

disability employment services. However, local providers 

could only meet 20 percent of the demand. As a result, 

REACH began a campaign to expand its programs. 

REACH needed more space but struggled to find a lender 

willing to finance the expansion. In 2017, USDA Rural 

Development’s B&I Program provided a loan guarantee 

to the regional loan fund Craft3 to help mitigate risk. In 

turn, Craft3 provided REACH with the funds to purchase 

and convert two properties. The loan also helped secure 

a separate New Market Tax Credit transaction for the 

construction of an employment training and business 

development center. Since the construction of the 

new facilities began in 2017, REACH has expanded 

enrollment in its employment services by nearly 40 

people, and the nonprofit has hired an additional 37 staff 

members, providing more job opportunities for individuals 

struggling to find work. One of those people is Rosa 

Cortes, pictured, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis 

(AN-co-lo-sing SPON-duh-LIE-tus), a hereditary form of 

arthritis of the spine; Kienbock’s disease; carpal tunnel 

syndrome, and intense joint pain from fibromyalgia. 

Rosa’s job provides flexible hours that can accommodate 

her flare-ups and, in partnership with Oregon’s 

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Rosa now has an 

ergonomically-designed workspace.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 9

ReConnect Loan and Grant Program

North Dakota 

Located in Buchanan (Stutsman County), “A Moment of Freedom” provides adaptive riding and 

equine therapy to individuals with special needs. Prior to getting broadband internet service, owner 

Annie Keffeler says she had to travel 20 minutes to find quality internet to support her organization. 

Now, with fiber-to-the-premises, she can communicate directly with parents and caregivers without 

leaving the ranch. The broadband service saves time, has increased efficiency, and – most 

importantly – has brought with it a surge in public interest. “A Moment of Freedom” now has a waiting 

list of new clients! Obligated in 2019, the internet service was made possible by a ReConnect Pilot 

Broadband grant to Daktel Communications. All residences served under the grant now have access 

to high-speed broadband service. 

ReConnect Loan and Grant Program

Maine

The Town of Roque Bluffs received a $893,170 dollar 

ReConnect Grant in February 2020. The project will make 

rural broadband service available to more than 1,350 

rural Maine households and 215 businesses, including 

Lisa Hanscomb’s 300-acre blueberry farm, which averages 

50,000 pounds of blueberries annually. A fifth-generation 

owner of Welch Farm, Lisa understands first-hand 

how difficult it is to run a small agricultural business with 

limited broadband service. She says files that should take 

10 minutes to download can take 10 or more hours. She 

knows broadband is the key; and says the future of Welch 

Farm depends on it! Lisa’s father, Wayne Hanscom, is 

the Assistant Fire Chief for Roque Bluffs, which also 

covers the neighboring town of Jonesport. The combined 

fire department recently received 10 computers to help 

conduct crucial training. However, the firefighters weren’t 

able to download the training software because of poor and 

unreliable internet connections. The new system will bring 

modern high-speed internet service to the town, connecting 

it to the Downeast Ring of Maine’s “three-ring binder” 

network backbone in Machias, about four-and-a-half miles 

from the town line. Any resident who chooses to sign up for 

service during the initial installation process will have fiber 

installed right to their home at no additional charge. 
10 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Intermediary Relending Program Loan

South Dakota

A timely loan from an Intermediary Relending Program participant allowed a seasonal business in South Dakota to 

offer its employees year-round work – even during the pandemic. Edge Sports is a ski and snowboarding shop in the 

small mountain town of Lead (Lawrence County). Searching for a way to avoid closing in the off-season, Edge last May 

secured a $125,000 loan, partially financed by West River Foundation’s $750,000 revolving loan fund – part of Rural 

Development’s Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). The business used the initial $125,000 investment to purchase 

off-road utility vehicles – “UTVs” – and the equipment necessary to operate them. The investment has been a runaway 

success: public demand for rentals of the vehicles turned out to be more than double what the business could handle. 

Proprietor Rory Maynard has hired additional staff, and is already considering a major expansion, including building a new 

shop and buying more vehicles, bringing more employment and income to this small rural community.

Rural Energy for America Program

Intermediary Relending Program

Montana

Video: Veteran Brings Brewing Back to Butte

U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Tony Olson - a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa 

Indians of Montana - brought craft brewing back to Butte (Silver Bow County), Montana. Tony used 

USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funds to offset the cost 

of placing solar panels on the Butte Brewing Company’s roof. He also worked with a nonprofit 

partner – Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) – to get a low-interest 

loan through RD’s Intermediary Relending Program (https://go.usa.gov/xtXec). IRP funds were 

used to buy canning line equipment and help improve the company’s distribution options.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 11

Rural Business Development Grant

Value-Added Producer Grant

Wisconsin

A $28,292 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) in 2019 helped the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 

build a new facility to process fish commercially, providing packaged products to distributors, restaurants and local 

markets. The Tribe used an earlier Value-Added Producer Grant of nearly $53,000 to develop a feasibility study. The 

market analysis from this laid the groundwork, and the RDBG helped the Tribe develop a business plan for the new 

processing plant. Construction was funded through HUD Indian and Community Development Block Grants and Tribe 

funds. The band began construction of the plant and retail space last May, and it was open for business in November 2021. 

The new plant quickly became successful, and sales are still going strong. This project is a cornerstone of the band’s 

effort to increase economic prosperity not just for its members, but for the whole region; enabling local food control, 

maximizing the fisheries’ economic potential, and preserving Native commercial fishing traditions.
12 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program

Iowa

A record $16.8 million in USDA Rural Development Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) funding 

was awarded in Iowa last year to assist 25 projects around the state, creating more than 200 jobs along the way! One 

of these projects is a facility expansion at Percival Scientific in Perry. Minburn Communications and Central Iowa Power 

Cooperative (CIPCO) each received $1 million, zero-interest REDLG loans. In turn, the funds were passed through to 

Percival Scientific to expand and purchase equipment. Percival Scientific President Gary Wheelock says the decision to 

move forward with the building expansion, especially during uncertain economic times, was made easier because of the 

REDLG. He says without the funding, the company may not have had the confidence to grow. Percival Scientific makes 

high-end incubators and plant growth chambers. The facility expansion will add around 60 percent more production space 

to its current 50,000 square-foot facility, creating 12 new jobs to add to its current 80-person workforce. 

“

”

RD offers more than 40 loan, grant, 

and technical assistance programs to 

help improve the economy and quality 

of life in rural America.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 13

Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Program

Washington State

Last October, USDA awarded a $1 million Distance 

Learning and Telemedicine Grant (DLT) to the University of 

Washington School of Dentistry to upgrade infrastructure 

for tele-dentistry in rural Washington and Montana. 

The grant will help expand the Office of Regional 

Affairs’ distance learning and teledentistry footprint 

to 13 locations in Washington and nine locations in 

Montana, including five Tribal clinics. The grant also will 

help finance upgrades to the school’s teleconference 

system, and to simulation clinics in Seattle and Spokane, 

which help students practice on dental mannequins for 

two years before performing procedures on live patients. 

Finally, the grant will make possible 12 new chairside 

telemedicine carts. Eleven partners will be located at 

rural and Tribal community dental clinics in Washington 

and Montana. The remaining chairside telemedicine cart 

will be located at the university. Each cart is equipped 

with two-way secure video conferencing, an intraoral 

camera and computer for dental charting, images, and 

access to electronic health records. This is the third DLT 

grant awarded to the University of Washington School 

of Dentistry.
14 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Conceive and Build Launch Scale-Up

• Rural Economic Development

Loan and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and Grant 

Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications

Infrastructure Loans

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable

Chemical, and Biobased

Product Manufacturing

Assistance Program

• Rural Placemaking

Innovation Challenge

• Business and Industry

Loan Guarantees

• Rural Economic Development

Loan and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications

Infrastructure Loans

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable

Chemical, and Biobased

Product Manufacturing

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain

Guaranteed Loan Program

• Value-Added Producer Grants

• Distance Learning and

Telemedicine Grants

• Rural Energy for

America Program

• Business and Industry

Loan Guarantees

• Rural Economic Development

Loan and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications

Infrastructure Loans

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable

Chemical, and Biobased

Product Manufacturing

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain

Guaranteed Loan Program

• Value-Added Producer Grants

• Distance Learning and

Telemedicine Grants

• Rural Business

Investment Program

• Single Family Housing

Direct Home Loans

• Farm Labor Direct Loans

and Grants

For-profit Enterprises

These programs can help for-profit rural businesses and cooperatives, or individuals and entities. Examples include 

corporations, limited liability companies, sole proprietorships, electric cooperatives, and agricultural producers.

USDA Rural Development Resources 
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 15

Public Entities

These programs are available to public entities to assist entrepreneur development and community-based 

economic development activities. Examples include state or local governments, and federally-recognized Tribes or 

Tribal organizations.

Conceive and Build Launch Scale-Up

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Intermediary 

Relending Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access Loan 

and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans 

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Rural Placemaking 

Innovation Challenge

• Intermediary Relending Program

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access 

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans 

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain 

Guaranteed Loan Program

• Business and Industry 

Loan Guarantees

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants

• Intermediary Relending Program

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access 

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans 

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain 

Guaranteed Loan Program

• Business and Industry 

Loan Guarantees

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants
16 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Nonprofit entities

These programs assist with entrepreneur and community-based rural economic development.

Conceive and Build Launch Scale-Up

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Socially Disadvantaged 

Groups Grant

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Community Development 

Initiative Grants

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Intermediary Relending Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access 

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans 

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Rural Placemaking 

Innovation Challenge

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Socially Disadvantaged 

Groups Grant

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Community Development 

Initiative Grants

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Intermediary Relending Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access 

Loan and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans 

and Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain 

Guaranteed Loan Program

• Value-Added Producer Grants

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Socially Disadvantaged 

Groups Grant

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Community Development 

Initiative Grants

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development 

Loan and Grant Program

• Intermediary Relending Program

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Community Connect Grants

• Rural Broadband Access Loan 

and Loan Guarantee

• Telecommunications 

Infrastructure Loans and 

Guarantees

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Food Supply Chain Guaranteed 

Loan Program

• Value-Added Producer Grants

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 17

Educational Facilities

These programs are designed to assist universities, community colleges, and other eligible educational institutions such 

as technology and vocational schools.

Conceive and Build Launch Scale-Up

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Rural Placemaking 

Innovation Challenge

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants

• Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant Program (RCDG)

• Rural Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program (RMAP)

• Rural Innovation Stronger 

Economy Grant (RISE)

• Rural Business 

Development Grants

• Reconnect Loan and 

Grant Program

• Biorefinery, Renewable 

Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program

• Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine Grants

Technical Assistance to Help You Get Started

• Rural Economic Development Loan 

and Grant Program

• Reconnect Loan and Grant Program

• Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

• Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance 

Program (RMAP)

• Rural Business Development Grants

• Rural Economic Development Loan 

and Grant Program

• Rural Cooperative Development Grant 

Program (RCDG)

• Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant

• Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

*See Appendix A for a complete list of links to programs.

**Specific eligibilityh requirements apply. The most current information – including regulatory guidelines – can be found 

on the USDA Rural Development webpage associated with the program. NOTE: In times of declared emergency, current 

borrowers should check Rural Development program webpages (https://www.rd.usda.gov) for important updates. 
Federal Entrepreneurship Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration 

• The Office of Entrepreneurial Development’s

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKPT) mission is to help small 

businesses start, grow, and compete in global markets 

by providing quality training, counseling, and access 

to resources. 

• Women’s Business Centers

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKyB) provide free to low-cost 

counseling and training focused on women who want to 

start, grow, and expand their small business.

• The Office of Native American Affairs’

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKyX) mission is to ensure 

American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native 

Hawaiians seeking to create, develop and expand small 

businesses have full access to the necessary business 

development and expansion tools available through 

the agency’s entrepreneurial development, lending and 

procurement programs.

• The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) 

program (https://go.usa.gov/xtKyQ) is designed to 

provide entrepreneurial development services such as 

business training, counseling, and resource partner 

referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, 

National Guard and Reserve members, and military 

spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.

• SBA Young Entrepreneurs (https://go.usa.gov/xtKyv) 

offers a wealth of knowledge and resources for young 

entrepreneurs who want to learn more about starting or 

growing their own business. State Trade Expansion 

Program (STEP) (https://go.usa.gov/xtKys) provides 

financial awards to state and territory governments to 

assist small businesses with export development.

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program 

(https://www.sbir.gov) supports scientific excellence 

and technological innovation through the investment of 

federal research funds in critical American priorities to 

build a strong national economy.

• The HUBZone program (https://go.usa.gov/xtKyM) 

fuels small business growth in historically-underutilized 

business zones with a goal of awarding at least 

3 percent of federal contract dollars to HUBZonecertified companies.

Use these Resources 

to Conceive and Build, 

Launch and Scale-Up 

your Business.
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 19

U.S Department of Commerce

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) 

(https://www.mbda.gov/mbda-programs) is the only 

federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global 

competitiveness of minority business enterprises. MBDA’s 

programs offer customized business development and 

industry-focused services to provide greater access to 

capital, contracts and markets.

U.S. Department of Labor

• Workforce GPS (https://www.workforcegps.org/) is 

an online technical assistance website that helps build 

the capacity of America’s public workforce investment 

system. Here you will find curated communities of 

interest, useful webinars, and other training resources. 

• Self-Employment for People with Disabilities

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKVm – PDF) The Department of 

Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy created 

this guide to help people with disabilities navigate 

self-employment.

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKV7) collects data 

on new businesses and job creation.

• Employer.gov (https://www.employer.gov/) 

provides answers to common questions about 

workers and business.

Internal Revenue Service 

• Small Business and Self-Employed Resources

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKVh) offers a variety of resources 

to help small business owners understand their 

tax responsibilities.

• The Small Business Resource Directory

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKpY) is a resource offered by 

the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to help 

banks, credit unions, other financing entities, and 

small business entrepreneurs facilitate small business 

lending through public programs, technical assistance, 

and partnerships.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

• Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital 

Formation (https://www.sec.gov/oasb) identifies and 

addresses unique challenges faced by minority-owned, 

women-owned, rural, and natural disaster area small 

businesses and their investors.

U.S. Economic Development Administration

• Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

(https://www.eda.gov/oie/) manages several 

grant competitions that support high-growth 

entrepreneurship, create jobs, and drive economic 

growth. OIE collaborates across the federal 

innovation and entrepreneurship policy and program 

landscape and leads the National Advisory 

Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

(https://www.eda.gov/oie/nacie/).

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal 

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKpN) makes it easier for 

small businesses to access federal services, and 

quickly connects veteran entrepreneurs to relevant 

best practices and information.

U.S. Department of Energy

• The Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKd3) embeds top entrepreneurial 

scientists and engineers within U.S. national laboratories 

to perform early-stage research and development 

that can lead to the launch of new energy or 

manufacturing businesses.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Small Business Assistance

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKd2) offers small business vendor 

outreach sessions that provide information on how to 

compete for federal contracts.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• Inventor and Entrepreneurship Resources

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKdT) Learn about small 

business and start-up resources at the U.S. Patent 

and Trademark Office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural 

Marketing Service

• The USDA patent licensing program grants 

patent licenses to qualified businesses and people 

who want to commercialize inventions resulting 

from federally-supported research performed 

at USDA laboratories and research locations. 

https://www.ars.usda.gov/docs/license-application
20 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Additional Resources

Federal

• Start Your Own Business (https://go.usa.gov/xtKdK) 

USA.GOV provides resources for you to learn about 

self-employment and starting a business.

• U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship 

Committee | (https://go.usa.gov/xtKdp) The Senate 

Committee on small business and entrepreneurship 

oversees the Small Business Administration’s 

entrepreneurial development programs and provides 

useful entrepreneurial guides. 

• National Science Foundation Innovation Corps 

program | (https://go.usa.gov/xtKd7) The I-Corps 

program uses experiential education to help researchers 

gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship. 

• Extension | USDA National Institute of Food and 

Agriculture | https://nifa.usda.gov/extension | 

Extension provides nonformal education and 

learning activities to farmers and other residents 

of rural communities, as well as to people living in 

urban areas.

• Federal Business Opportunities | contracting 

(https://go.usa.gov/xtKdm) Those interested in doing 

business with the federal government can use this 

system to search for contracting opportunities.

• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) | 

(https://www.gsa.gov/small-business) | Helps small 

business owners identify federal contract opportunities.  

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) federal 

contracting section | https://www.sba.gov/federalcontracting | Offers resources to help small businesses 

compete for federal contracts.

Additional Resources, including 

Nongovernmental Support 

• Accion Opportunity Fund (https://aofund.org/) is 

a financial support system for small businesses that 

advances racial, gender, and economic justice for all.

• Affiliated with the Accion Opportunity Fund,

Business Resources of Native American 

Entrepreneurs (https://aofund.org/resource/businessresources-native-american-entrepreneurs/) provides 

a detailed list of various resources and government 

programs available for minority-owned businesses, 

specifically, Native American entrepreneurs.

• The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) – 

(https://www.arc.gov/) is an economic development 

partnership comprised of the federal government 

and 13 state governments. ARC’s mission is to help 

the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the 

nation. ARC invests in projects and partners that 

empower entrepreneurs and help communities build 

sustainable, diverse economies. ARC also hosts the 

Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy, (https://www.

arc.gov/appalachian-entrepreneurship-academy/), 

a high school program designed to prepare the next 

generation of entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers.

• BUILD (https://build.org/) is an entrepreneurship 

program for youth in underserved communities. BUILD 

focuses on career success, entrepreneurial mindsets 

and opportunity, and envisions a world in which all 

students – regardless of race, socioeconomic status, 

or neighborhood – develop the skills and connections 

necessary for economic power and freedom.

• Career One Stop (https://www.careeronestop.org) is a 

free online resource sponsored by the U.S. Department 

of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. 

Visit to find job opportunities, career options, training, 

skills assessments, and workforce services in 

your neighborhood.

• Delta Regional Authority (https://dra.gov) bolsters 

regional economic opportunity by helping create 

jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of 

the 10 million people who reside in the eight-state 

Delta region.

• Entrepreneurial Skills Training for Youth (https://

youth.workforcegps.org/resources/2017/03/02/10/51/

Entrepreneurial-Skills-Training) – part of the Workforce 
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 21

Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth program 

– provides the basics of starting and operating a 

small business.

• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s Investing 

in Rural Prosperity (https://www.stlouisfed.org/

community-development/publications/invest-in-rural), 

helps rural individuals and communities achieve shared 

economic prosperity.

• Job Accommodation Network Entrepreneurship 

Hub (https://askjan.org/topics/Entrepreneurship.cfm) 

handles inquiries related to self-employment and small 

business development for people with disabilities.

• National Hispanic Business Group

(https://www.nhbg.org/) is dedicated to expanding, 

promoting and creating business opportunities for 

its members by strategically fostering dialogue and 

economic exchange, while supporting positive social 

change and community empowerment.

• National Consortium for Entrepreneurship 

Education (https://www.entre-ed.org/) EntreEd instills 

entrepreneurial mindsets in students to forge a more 

entrepreneurial America as the future of work continues 

to evolve.

• Rural LISC (https://www.lisc.org/rural/) supports 

resilient and inclusive rural communities as great 

places to live, work and innovate. Rural LISC strives 

to identify priorities and opportunities – and deliver the 

most appropriate support to meet local needs through 

integrated strategies and programs.

• SCORE (https://www.score.org/) has the largest 

network of free volunteer small business mentors 

in the nation. 

• Small Business Development Centers

(https://americassbdc.org/) offer aspiring entrepreneurs 

free business consulting and at-cost training.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

(https://www.uschamber.com/) offers members policy 

analysis and legal advice, and connects them with 

leaders in business and government through worldclass events and small gatherings, and equips them 

with tools and resources to help them succeed.

• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

(https://www.ushcc.com/) actively promotes the 

economic growth, development, and interests of 

more than 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses.

Retirement Plan Options for Entrepreneurs: 

U.S. Department of Labor Guidance: Choosing 

a Retirement Solution for your Small Business

(https://go.usa.gov/xtkHe – PDF)

Healthcare Options for Entrepreneurs:

• Healthcare.gov (https://www.healthcare.gov/) is the 

U.S. Federal Government’s health insurance exchange 

program operated under the provisions of the Affordable 

Care Act.

COVID-19 Response and Recovery 

Resources for Entrepreneurs

USDA RD is committed to supporting rural communities 

on their path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Visit https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus for detailed 

information on USDA’s COVID-19 response.

• A COVID-19 Federal Resource Guide is available, 

as well: https://go.usa.gov/xt8z2. The guide offers a 

comprehensive list of immediate and long-term federal 

assistance for communities affected by the pandemic.

Contact Us:

• USDA Rural Development website: 

https://www.rd.usda.gov/

• State office listings: 

https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices
22 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Alphabetical links to featured videos:

• Army Veteran Brings Brewing Back to Butte 

https://youtu.be/Ld27-IUfP7g

• Small Business Success: Glacier Collision Worx 

of Montana https://youtu.be/dfk6RNsUbhw

• Value-Added Producer Grant: Serenity Acres Farm 

https://youtu.be/DKxycLC3lQ0

Alphabetical links to featured success stories:

• Bringing Micro-Manufacturing Back to Main Street 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3pp

• Commercial Kitchen Opens Opportunities for Food 

Service in Southeastern Utah https://go.usa.gov/xt3pR

Alphabetical links to featured RD Grant, 

Loan, and Loan Guarantee Programs:

• Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased 

Product Manufacturing Assistance Program: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3dg

• Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantees: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt37J

• Community Connect Program: 

https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect

• Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Ac

• Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Ab

• Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Aq

• Intermediary Relending Program (IRP): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3AR

• ReConnect Loan and Grant Program: 

https://www.usda.gov/reconnect

• Rural Broadband Loans, Loan-Grant Combinations, 

and Loan Guarantees: https://go.usa.gov/xt3pz

• Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3AN

• Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3A4

• Rural Community Development Initiative Grants (RCDI) 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Aw

• Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program 

(RCDG) https://go.usa.gov/xt3Am

• Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant 

Program: https://go.usa.gov/xt3pA

• Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Aa

• Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants: 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3A5

• Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3AX

• Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3dj

• Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3AT

• Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG): 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Ad

• Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan 

Guarantees: https://go.usa.gov/xt3pu

Alphabetical links to featured 

Federal Partners:

• Choosing a Retirement Solution | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Fe (PDF)

• Employer.Gov | https://www.employer.gov/

• Extension | USDA National Institute of Food and 

Agriculture | https://go.usa.gov/xt5CK

• Internal Revenue Service | Small Business Resource 

Directory https://go.usa.gov/xt3HP

Index: How to Access 

Programs and Resources
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 23

• National Science Foundation | Innovation Corps | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt364

• Office of Entrepreneurial Development | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3sB

• Office of Native American Affairs | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3sX

• SAM.GOV | Federal Business Opportunities (contracts) | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt5aV 

• SAM.GOV | Federal Business Opportunities (Contracts) | 

https://go.usa.gov/xtKdm

• SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt5CC 

• SCORE | https://www.score.org/

• Self-Employment: What to Know to Be Your Own Boss | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3H9

• Small Business and Self-Employed Resources | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Hn

• Small Business Development Center | 

https://americassbdc.org/

• Small Business Innovation Research | SBIR.gov

• Small Business Innovation Research | 

https://www.sbir.gov/

• STEP | https://go.usa.gov/xt5CC https://www.sba.

gov/funding-programs/grants/state-trade-expansionprogram-step

• The USDA I Agricultural Research 

Service patent licensing program 

https://www.ars.usda.gov/docs/license-application

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3HX

• U.S Department of Commerce | Minority Business 

Development Center | https://go.usa.gov/xt5av

• U.S. Department of Energy | The Lab-Embedded 

Entrepreneurship Program | https://go.usa.gov/xt3HM

• U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security | Small Business Assistance | 

https://www.dhs.gov/small-business-assistance

• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs | Veteran 

Entrepreneur Portal | https://go.usa.gov/xtKvG

• U.S. Economic Development Administration | National 

Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 

https://www.eda.gov/oie/nacie/

• U.S. EDA | Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 

https://www.eda.gov/oie/

• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) | 

https://www.gsa.gov/small-business 

• USA.GOV | Start Your Own Business | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3Hz

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | Inventor and 

Entrepreneurship Resources | https://go.usa.gov/xt3Hz

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | Office of 

the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation | 

https://www.sec.gov/oasb

• U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and 

Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurial Development 

Programs | https://go.usa.gov/xt3Hh

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) | 

https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting

• U.S. Small Business Administration | HUBZone 

program | https://go.usa.gov/xtKyM

• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3sR

• Women’s Business Centers | https://go.usa.gov/xt3s8

• Youth.gov | Young Entrepreneurs | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3sU
24 | USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide

Alphabetical links to additional resources:

• Accion Opportunity Fund | Business 

Resources of Native American Entrepreneurs | 

https://aofund.org/resource/business-resourcesnative-american-entrepreneurs/

• Appalachian Regional Commission | Appalachian 

Entrepreneurship Academy | https://www.arc.gov/

appalachian-entrepreneurship-academy/

• BUILD | https://build.org/

• Delta Regional Authority | https://dra.gov

Entrepreneurial Skills Training for Youth | 

https://tinyurl.com/zn9fuawn

• Extension | USDA National Institute of Food and 

Agriculture | https://nifa.usda.gov/extension

• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis | Investing in Rural 

Prosperity | https://www.stlouisfed.org/communitydevelopment/publications/invest-in-rural

• Job Accommodation Network | Entrepreneurship Hub | 

https://tinyurl.com/s36zywn6

• National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education | 

https://www.entre-ed.org/

• National Hispanic Business Group | 

https://www.nhbg.org/

• Rural LISC | Local Initiatives Support | 

https://www.lisc.org/rural/

• SCORE | https://www.score.org/

• Small Business Development Center | 

https://americassbdc.org/

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce | 

https://www.uschamber.com/

• U.S. Department of Labor | CareerOneStop | 

https://www.careeronestop.org/

• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | 

https://www.ushcc.com/

• Workforce GPS | https://youth.workforcegps.org/

Alphabetical links to Healthcare and 

Retirement Plans for Entrepreneurs:

• Federal Healthcare Marketplace | HealthCare.Gov | 

https://www.healthcare.gov/

Alphabetical links to COVID-19 Response 

and Recovery Resources for Entrepreneurs:

• COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (.pdf) | 

https://go.usa.gov/xt3M3

• U.S. Department of Agriculture | 

https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus
USDA Rural Development Federal Entrepreneurship Guide | 25

RD-22001

February 2022

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.