USDA Rural Development Awards Seven Grants to Support Small Rural Businesses Statewide in Nevada

(Carson City, Nev., November 2, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Nevada State Director Alida Ceballos announced fiscal year (FY) 2026 Rural Business Development Grant awards to seven organizations supporting small business growth, historic preservation, and economic revitalization across rural Nevada.

"These investments strengthen local economies, support homegrown entrepreneurs, and help preserve the character of rural Nevada," said Ceballos. "USDA is committed to ensuring rural communities have the tools they need-whether that's business training, capital, or infrastructure improvements. These projects create new opportunities for the people and businesses who call rural Nevada home."

In Nevada, the following seven organizations received awards:

• Carson Valley Arts Council (Federal Obligation: $2,000)
  Funds will stabilize the historic Copeland Lumber Building, a step toward converting it into a community Maker's Space that supports visual arts education and preserves an important local landmark.
• City of Caliente (Federal Obligation: $45,000)
  Funding will help complete the refurbishment and adaptive reuse of the Caliente Railroad Depot by 2027. The project is expected to boost business activity by drawing visitors to the historic site and strengthening the local tourism economy.
• Friends of Gem Theater (Federal Obligation: $29,977)
  Grant funds will support installation of a fire alarm system, the next phase in restoring the historic Gem Theater. Recent upgrades have stabilized the structure, and this improvement will support safe, long-term community use.
• Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (Federal Obligation: $97,908)
  The "State of Nevada Native Microenterprise Development Project" expands training and technical assistance for rural Native entrepreneurs, providing on-reservation support that fills critical service gaps and strengthens small business development.
• Main Street Gardnerville (Federal Obligation: $74,500)
  Funding will support a Downtown Economic Activation Plan to identify strategies that foster small business growth, create jobs, activate underused properties, and build long-term economic vitality in downtown Gardnerville.
• Nye County Regional Economic Development Authority
  (Federal Obligation: $90,000)
  This award strengthens the regional Revolving Loan Fund, providing needed capital for rural entrepreneurs-particularly in distressed areas such as Esmeralda County. As mining activity increases, the fund will help small businesses access financing, often unavailable through traditional lenders.
• Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development
  (Federal Obligation: $20,000)
  Funds will support the Nevada Rural Economic and Community Development Summit, focused on capacity building, leadership development, and rural economic planning. The Summit will equip communities with tools to address challenges related to workforce, infrastructure, and access to technical assistance.

Together, these Rural Business Development Grant investments strengthen Nevada's rural economies by supporting historic revitalization, expanding business training and technical assistance, improving community planning, and increasing access to capital. The FY 2026 awards help small and emerging private businesses overcome barriers such as limited infrastructure, geographic isolation, and scarce financial resources. These projects give rural entrepreneurs the tools they need to start, grow, and sustain their businesses, supporting locally driven economic development and stronger, more resilient communities statewide.

Learn more about funding opportunities and USDA Rural Development programs at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe for updates, and follow USDA Rural Development Nevada on social media for the latest news and announcements.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and 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/nv .

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