Rural Business

Moab, Utah has seen its fair share of boom times. First it was the uranium boom in the 1960s and 70s, when prospectors flooded Moab to mine the nuclear fuel, and trailer camps dotted the desert landscape. Then it was the tourism boom of the 2010s, when the Mighty Five campaign drew visitors from near […] The post Building Stability: This Nonprofit is Transforming Affordable Housing in Moab appeared first on Rural Business.

It’s been a while since we’ve recorded an episode of The Rural Business Show. It’s been a year of change for our business, Nevada Central Media, as we went from publishing one rural weekly newspaper to four. This episode of the Rural Business Show focuses on the business of small-town news. The challenging environment has […] The post Episode 52: The Rural News Business appeared first on Rural Business.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced that USDA is inviting applications for grants to strengthen rural cooperatives that serve and are made up of people who are part of socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. USDA is making the $3 million in grants available under the […] The post USDA seeks applications for grants to strengthen rural cooperatives appeared first on Rural Business.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced USDA is accepting applications until May 21, 2024, for funding under the ReConnect Program. This is the fifth round of funding under the program, which provides loans and grants to bring high-speed internet to the most remote and difficult-to-serve rural and Tribal […] The post USDA accepting applications for ReConnect Program appeared first on Rural Business.

Through REAP Technical Assistance Grants, USDA Rural Development offers hands-on assistance to agricultural producers and small business owners applying for Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding, which aims to lower energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. This assistance is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. Eligible recipients for these […] The post Grant funding available through Rural Energy for America Program appeared first on Rural Business.

Housing continues to be a difficult challenge for rural communities. Often, jobs are unfilled because of a lack of adequate and affordable housing. Attracting builders is a challenge as is an increasing number of units being used as vacation properties. Community Rebuilds based in Moab, Utah addresses these challenges by building energy-efficient, affordable homes. The […] The post Episode 51: Rural Housing appeared first on Rural Business.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for community-driven programs that will help create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities. The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program encourages regional, innovation-driven approaches to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income and underserved rural […] The post USDA offers grants for programs to create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities appeared first on Rural Business.

With the loss of local news media, rural perspectives are at risk of fading away. Several groups in Minnesota are banding together to change that. The United States has lost more than two newspapers per week since 2005, according to Northwestern University’s “State of Local News 2023.”  Over 200 counties around the country do not […] The post Capturing America’s Rural Voice: Town Hall Series Empowers Rural Communities appeared first on Rural Business.

A community-based organization called the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) is bridging resource gaps in rural communities to help small business owners access resources, grow and innovate.   AHDC was founded 52 years ago to provide workforce development services to farm workers displaced by industrialization. Over the years, the organization has expanded into housing development, entrepreneurship […] The post Bridging the Gap: Connecting Rural Business Owners to Opportunity appeared first on Rural Business.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a series of listening sessions this winter. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities. USDA and DOE seek feedback […] The post USDA and Department of Energy to host series of listening sessions on American farms, rural benefits appeared first on Rural Business.