WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development Grants Program has awarded four grants totaling $387,221 to organizations in Southeast Ohio to provide technical assistance and training for small, rural businesses.

“Rural communities have been overlooked for too long. If we want to promote economic development throughout Ohio, we need to ensure that businesses and communities have the tools and resources they need,” said Brown. “This investment will have a significant economic impact for Southeast Ohio.”

Funding from the USDA includes:

  • $91,447 grant to the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, a community-based economic development organization in Athens serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio.
  • $96,100 grant to the Southern Perry Incubation Center, an Appalachian-based organization in Perry County that is helping small businesses grow.
  • $99,820 grant to the Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area, a nonprofit in Shawnee working to preserve Ohio’s Appalachian culture, environment, and history.
  • $99,854 grant to Ohio University to provide technical assistance to rural businesses in and around Athens County.

USDA’s Rural Business Development Grants Program provides technical assistance and training for small, rural businesses. The funding is intended to help improve the quality of life in rural communities by enhancing economic opportunities and ensuring self-sustainability for generations to come.

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