Initiative Foundation Awarded USDA Grant

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Representatives Collin Peterson and Rick Nolan, announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a grant to Minnesota’s The Initiative Foundation. The USDA awarded grants to 23 organizations to support rural and economic development projects. The Initiative Foundation in Minnesota was selected for a $173,372 grant to provide training, technical assistance and financial support to 20 non-profit intermediaries that are locally-based and skilled in business development and job creation.

“Minnesota’s own The Initiative Foundation was chosen to receive this grant because of its dedication to improving rural economies,” said Klobuchar. “Our nation’s strength is anchored in our rural communities. This grant will ensure that The Initiative Foundation can continue to support the important job creation and business development efforts of Minnesota’s non-profits.”

“Investing in our rural communities is good for Minnesota’s overall economic health and it’s good for the entire country,” said Franken. “And one of my top priorities is to expand our workforce and get people the training they need for middle-class, good-paying jobs. This new support will help create jobs and economic opportunity in rural Minnesota.”

“Making investments in rural communities and connecting important resources to rural citizens is essential to keeping rural areas thriving,” Peterson said. “This grant will support job creation and benefit the rural economy.”

“Here in Minnesota’s Eighth District, our rural economy depends on small business development and job creation,” Nolan said. “This grant for The Initiative Foundation will help bolster our rural communities by providing the training, technical assistance and financial support needed to support these important rural and economic development projects.”

The award is being provided through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations and other groups promote economic development in low-income, rural communities. Awards are provided to public or non-profit intermediaries that are locally-based and skilled in business development and job creation.