BANGOR — Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is among four Maine organizations and 385 recent USDA Rural Development grants awarded on Sept 30., by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. These grants help support the start-up or expansion of rural small businesses. “These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” Vilsack said today during a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “The valuable projects being undertaken by four of Maine’s innovative organizations will have a significant impact on an estimated 184 jobs in Maine in the local foods and other sectors. In addition, the grant funds USDA Rural Development is investing will have a positive long-term effect on the production of local foods throughout the state in Maine’s rural communities.”

USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities.

In Maine four Maine businesses have been selected to receive a total of $275,000 in RBDG Grant funds:

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) has been selected to receive $98,950. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with organic grower business consultation services, organic farming workshops and professional training, and third-party loans for non-production purposes from an organic farmers’ revolving loan fund. The project has the potential to create 50 jobs.

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments has been selected to receive $89,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Maine Grains oat project. The project will consist of acquiring and installing oat-dehulling and related equipment and mechanical work, along with testing, package design, Web consultation for online marketing, and project management. The project has the potential to create 21 jobs.

Aroostook Aspiration Initiative has been selected to receive $25,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Internship Hub of Aroostook program. The project will conduct leadership training for prospective adult, rural entrepreneurs and managers, while establishing and developing rural learning programs that provide job training instruction related to potential employment and job advancement for adult students. The project has the potential over the next three years to create 75 jobs.

Northern Maine Development Commission has been selected to receive $62,050. Rural Development funds will be used to help develop marketing strategies and improve distribution channels throughout the Great Region Diversified Agricultural Community of Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties. The project has the potential to create 38 jobs.

Funding of each award is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement. In total, USDA is providing nearly $20 million in grants nationwide.

USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant Program is one of several that support rural economic development. Since the start of the Obama administration, USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service has helped 85,000 rural businesses.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.

USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 60 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me