USDA Rural Development Provides Grant Funding to Support Micro-Lending to Businesses in Northwest Colorado

USDA Rural Development State Director for Colorado Sallie Clark joined representatives from the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC) today to announce a $99,500 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG). The entity will use the funding to set up a microlending revolving loan fund.

"This investment will expand access to micro-loans for rural small businesses that are often unavailable in rural areas. Providing access to critical capital will help spur entrepreneurship, create and retain jobs, and build stronger more resilient economies in Northwest Colorado. The Northwest Colorado Innovation Center is a valued partner with Rural Development in helping deliver this much needed support to small businesses and startups that are the backbone of rural communities," said Clark.

NCIC will offer micro-loan funds for ultimate recipients in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties. Funding can be used to assist with working capital, inventory, supplies, machinery, equipment, feasibility studies/energy audits, training, licenses, preconstruction costs, and marketing.

The RBDG program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. This program provides grant money to assist with economic development planning and/or the financing or expansion of rural businesses. The grants may be made to a public entity, an Indian Tribe, or a nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas. The agency anticipates a Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this program soon. For more information on this program in Colorado contact Bill Chester, [email protected].

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/co.