The Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Group (SSDPG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was published in the Federal Register this morning. Approximately $3 million is available and the application deadlines are: June 24, 2014 for electronic applications filed through http://www.grants.gov and June 30, 2014 for paper applications. A copy of the SSDPG NOFA is attached.
Following are a few pointers to keep in mind:
1. Grants may be made to Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers where a majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
2. To qualify for the SSDPG program, applicants must have a board of directors or governing board that is majority-controlled by members of socially disadvantaged groups. This requirement applies to all applicant types, including cooperative development centers. Applications that fail to address or meet this requirement will not be considered for funding.
3. New for FY 14 -- The Agency has established annual performance evaluation measures to evaluate the SSDPG program. Applicants must provide estimates on the following performance evaluation measures as part of their narrative:
• Number of businesses assisted;
• Number of cooperatives assisted; and
• Number of small, socially disadvantaged producers assisted.
4. The new CFDA number for SSDPG is 10.871. This is needed on the application form.
Requirements for this program are listed in the attached NOFA. The NOFA, FY14 Application Template, and other information about this program is available on our website at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Bev
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Beverly A. Stone | Business Programs Specialist | Energy Coordinator
Rural Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4 | Bangor, ME 04401-2767
Phone: 207.990.9125 | Fax: 207.990.9129