<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">I wish they would offer grants for towns bigger larger than 50,000.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Annie Jenkins, Interim Executive Director</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Downtown Medford Association</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">Mobile | 541-941-5204</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">Email | </span><a href="mailto:executivedirector@downtownmedford.org" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif" target="_blank">executivedirector@downtownmedford.org</a><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="verdana, sans-serif">If you like Downtown Medford then<br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in"><font color="#0c343d"><font face="verdana, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dmamedford/" target="_blank"><b>Like</b> us on Facebook</a> | </font><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/downtownmedfordor/" target="_blank"><b>Like</b> us on Instagram</a></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#0c343d"><a href="https://downtownmedford.org/subscribe/" target="_blank"><b>Sign-up </b>for our Newsletter</a> </font><span style="color:rgb(12,52,61);font-family:verdana,sans-serif">+ </span><a href="https://downtownmedford.org/partner/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204);font-family:verdana,sans-serif" target="_blank"><b>Become</b> a Friend <span>or Partner </span>of Downtown</a></p></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 5:50 PM STUART Sheri * OPRD via OMS_MANAGERS <<a href="mailto:oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov">oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-8533534759808668835">







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<p class="MsoNormal">FYI – check out this grant opportunity…Sheri<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7pt;color:rgb(79,98,40);letter-spacing:2pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(79,98,40)">Sheri Stuart
</span></b><b><span style="font-size:8pt;color:rgb(79,98,40)">(she, her, hers)
</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">|  Oregon Main Street Coordinator</span><b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(79,98,40)"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:3pt;color:rgb(166,166,166)">___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">Desk:  (503)986-0679 cell: (503)551-3705<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">725 Summer St NE, Ste C<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">Salem, Oregon 97301<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:gray">Visit our
<a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org/" target="_blank">website</a>, Like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OregonHeritage" target="_blank">
Facebook</a>, Visit our <a href="http://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a>, Join the Oregon Heritage News
<a href="https://omls.oregon.gov/mailman/listinfo/Heritage" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">e-news</span></a> Check our</span><span style="color:black">
</span><span style="font-size:9pt;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(35,82,124)">LinkedIn</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9pt;color:gray">.</span><span><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> USDA Rural Development Oregon <<a href="mailto:ruraldevelopment@public.govdelivery.com" target="_blank">ruraldevelopment@public.govdelivery.com</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 5, 2023 2:37 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> STUART Sheri * OPRD <<a href="mailto:sheri.stuart@oregon.gov" target="_blank">sheri.stuart@oregon.gov</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Now Accepting Applications for Rural Business Development Grants<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:1pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;color:white">Create jobs and grow businesses in your community with USDA RD.
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Having trouble viewing this email?
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View it as a Web page</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(22,37,75)">USDA Seeks Applications to Advance Economic Development and Create Jobs for People in Rural America</span></strong><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(22,37,75)"><u></u><u></u></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(3,88,64)">Highlights:<u></u><u></u></span></h3>
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<em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJkLnVzZGEuZ292L3Byb2dyYW1zLXNlcnZpY2VzL2J1c2luZXNzLXByb2dyYW1zL3J1cmFsLWJ1c2luZXNzLWRldmVsb3BtZW50LWdyYW50cyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDUuODY2NjQwNjEifQ.vQotb8PfkFYGQhk3AdeBEUQahm-53bQy7z0uAJHfpYM/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">Rural Business Development Grants</span></a>. </span>
</em><strong><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Deadline is February 28, 2024.</span></i></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:12pt">
<em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Tribes, nonprofits, and government entities serving communities with less than 50,000 residents are eligible. </span></em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:12pt">
<em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Smaller funding requests are given higher priority. No cost sharing requirement.</span></em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black">
<em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Grants may fund job training, building repair, feasibility studies/business plans, the purchase of equipment to lease to small and emerging businesses, and more. </span></em><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<em><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></em></span></i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">
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<em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">USDA RD is particularly interested in projects that focus on climate resilience, technical assistance, developing infrastructure, and expanding markets for rural businesses.</span></em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
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<strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">PORTLAND, Ore.</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">,
<strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dec. 5, 2023</span></strong> – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced today that it is accepting applications to advance economic development and create jobs for people in rural
 America.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">USDA is making this funding available under the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJkLnVzZGEuZ292L3Byb2dyYW1zLXNlcnZpY2VzL2J1c2luZXNzLXByb2dyYW1zL3J1cmFsLWJ1c2luZXNzLWRldmVsb3BtZW50LWdyYW50cyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDUuODY2NjQwNjEifQ.dPbrpUf5IGgSPWgo1UI0734BGn1zSjUh96JG5lelT7Y/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">Rural Business Development Grant</span></a> program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in rural communities. Organizations eligible to receive funding include rural towns, communities, state agencies,
 authorities, nonprofits, federally recognized Tribes, public colleges and non-profit cooperatives.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Projects must be consistent with local community and economic development strategic plans. They must also support other economic development activities in the surrounding community.  <u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Funds may be used to establish business support centers or to finance job training and leadership development in rural areas. They may also be used to repair or modernize buildings; finance
 feasibility studies or business plans; or purchase equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">In fiscal year 2024, USDA anticipates that part of the funding may be set aside for:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Federally recognized Tribes.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Rural Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities/Rural Economic Area Partnerships.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Projects located in persistent poverty areas.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:11.25pt">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJkLnVzZGEuZ292L3Byb2dyYW1zLXNlcnZpY2VzL2J1c2luZXNzLXByb2dyYW1zL3N0cmF0ZWdpYy1lY29ub21pYy1hbmQtY29tbXVuaXR5LWRldmVsb3BtZW50IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwNS44NjY2NDA2MSJ9.12BPHxcv1a4u9uSuV4ZqFrVU24c2b2LA4b5NpiG_FNY/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">Strategic
 Economic and Community Development</span></a> (SECD) projects.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Eligible applicants for the persistent poverty and SECD set-aside funds must demonstrate that 100% of the benefits of an approved grant will assist beneficiaries in the designated areas.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The Department expects to invite applications in winter 2024 for set-aside funding to enhance the operation of rural transportation systems.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to: <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;margin-bottom:11.25pt">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:11.25pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Applications must be submitted to the nearest USDA Rural Development state office where the project is located by 4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 28, 2024. For more information, visit
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuZ3JhbnRzLmdvdiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzEyMDUuODY2NjQwNjEifQ.wauKZIzYzQ2h9IKJwNVFHgujfFDjGxb28kbyvWDqK6I/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">Grants.gov</span></a> or see page 84123 of the Dec. 4, 2023,
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<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">Federal Register</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(22,37,76)">For more information...<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Questions related to USDA Business Programs in
<strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Oregon</span></strong> may be directed to a
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cucmQudXNkYS5nb3YvY29udGFjdC11cy9zdGF0ZS1vZmZpY2VzL29yIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwNS44NjY2NDA2MSJ9.069zMedF8BuHrVxUaIOqqFCheBki11c6AaQcxzymxj8/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">local Business and Cooperative Specialist</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(22,37,76)">For projects outside of Oregon...<u></u><u></u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Those with project proposals outside of Oregon should contact USDA Rural Development in the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cucmQudXNkYS5nb3YvYnJvd3NlLXN0YXRlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMTIwNS44NjY2NDA2MSJ9.Zatb0GOa3prKRrvETQMER7YQjUWd9N-w9y6oDI5X9c0/s/671392863/br/232311571963-l" target="_blank">
<span style="color:rgb(0,92,193)">corresponding state</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(117,117,117)">This email was sent to
<a href="mailto:sheri.stuart@oregon.gov" target="_blank">sheri.stuart@oregon.gov</a> by USDA Rural Development · 1400  Independence Ave SW · Washington DC 20250 · 800-670-6553
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