USDA Rural Development Supports Rural Businesses Across Eleven Parishes with Grant to University of Louisiana at Lafayette

(Alexandria, La., Oct. 7, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Louisiana State Director Troy Romero announced the agency is awarding a $174,565 grant to University of Louisiana at Lafayette to advance a business accelerator project to benefit eleven parish service areas throughout south central Louisiana.

"This investment empowers rural entrepreneurs and small businesses to innovate, grow, and create new opportunities across Louisiana," said Romero. "By partnering with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USDA Rural Development is helping strengthen the foundation for long-term success in the communities we serve."

The grant, awarded through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG), will help University of Louisiana at Lafayette in support of the University Rural Enterprise and Innovation Accelerator project. Through this project, the university will provide technical assistance and business development support to businesses in Lafayette, Iberia, St. Martin, St. Landry, Vermilion, Acadia, Jeff Davis, Evangeline, Avoyelles, St Mary, and Allen parishes. Support services include entrepreneurship education, business planning, market research, feasibility studies, digital manufacturing, and product prototyping. Rural businesses that participate will be better equipped to seize new market opportunities, develop products, and advance in value-added agriculture, food processing, forestry and wood products, and other enterprises.

"University of Louisiana at Lafayette is grateful for USDA Rural Development's investment in rural Louisiana," said University of Louisiana at Lafayette President Ramesh Kolluru. "This grant will connect small manufacturers and entrepreneurs with university expertise, product-development resources, and technical assistance that can help them grow, create jobs, and pursue new markets, including opportunities to become suppliers within Louisiana's rapidly expanding advanced manufacturing and aerospace sectors."

USDA's RBDG program supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.

Learn more about funding opportunities and investments like this online at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe for updates , and follow us on X at RD_Louisiana .

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