Luminosity Foundation Secures $475,000 USDA Grant to Assist Small Businesses in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

(Hilo, Hawaii, Oct. 23, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Hawaii State Director Wade Lee announced the agency is awarding a $475,000 grant to Luminosity Foundation, to launch the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Enterprise Growth & Capital Readiness Initiative. The initiative is a 12-month project that will help small and emerging businesses across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota access working capital, strengthen business readiness, and connect to larger local and off-island markets.

"USDA's investment in this project will enable small businesses to expand their operational capacity with the technical assistance and micro-lending program," said Lee. "Small businesses provide a critical role in boosting the local economy, creating jobs, and benefiting the community. We are pleased to be a partner with Luminosity Foundation and the CNMI community through our RD programs."

The grant, awarded through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG), will deliver individualized technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs, helping businesses improve financial management. This integrated model directly responds to documented capital-access gaps and supports job creation, business retention, and rural economic resilience in the CNMI.

"Our small businesses are facing exceptionally difficult economic conditions. Yet our entrepreneurs remain committed to their businesses, to their employees, and to being part of the Commonwealth's economic recovery. For many of them, access to capital remains a significant challenge. This investment from USDA will help address that challenge by providing the technical assistance and business development support that local entrepreneurs need to grow and pursue new opportunities. I thank USDA Rural Development and the Luminosity Foundation for recognizing this need and working to bring these resources to our community," said Representative Kimberlyn King-Hinds.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and transportation infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov .

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