Business-development grants available

The Nevada State Office of USDA Rural Development is accepting grant applications from tribal enterprises to develop small and emerging private business opportunities in rural areas. This program provides grants for projects that finance the development of such businesses and help fund distance adult learning for job training and advancement. Small and emerging private businesses have fewer than 50 employees with less than $1 million in projected gross revenues. USDA Rural Development expects to award about $3.2 million through the Native American RBEG program via a single national competition. Native American RBEG applications from Nevada compete with other Native American RBEG applications from around the nation. Last year 25 projects were funded, including two Nevada projects. For a tribally owned business to be considered private, it must be held through a separate entity such as a tribal corporation. The corporation may be owned by the tribe and distribute profits to the tribe. However, the governing board must be independent from the tribal government and elected or appointed for a specific period. Applications for the Native American RBEG are at www.rurdev.usda.gov/nvrbeg.html. For more information, call Michelle Kelly at 775-887-1222, ext. 118.