Regional Economic Development Planning Efforts in Rural Communities

The Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development is seeking applications to support regional economic development planning efforts in rural communities under the Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative. This funding opportunity will be administered by the Rural Development Innovation Center, in partnership with the Rural BusinessCooperative Service. The agency is announcing up to $750,000 in competitive cooperative agreement funds in fiscal year (FY) 2018. Rural Development Agency may select one, multiple, or no award recipients. The Agency reserves the right to withhold the awarding of any funds if no application receives a score of at least 60 points. This Notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these funds. The Agency encourages applications that will support recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help improve life in rural America. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation. Key strategies include: ​

• Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America.
• Developing the Rural Economy.
• Harnessing Technological Innovation.
• Supporting a Rural Workforce.
• Improving Quality of Life.