Rural Development Fund Grants
Rural Development Fund Grants support Michigan’s rural communities and land-based industries through infrastructure, workforce, business, and regional collaboration projects that strengthen rural economies.
Funder: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Due Dates: November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. (LOI) | December 2, 2026 (Full application opens/invitations) | January 13, 2027, at 5 p.m. (Full application) | February 17, 2027 (Evaluation) | April 2027 (Awards announced)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4 million available; up to $100,000 for Community and Business Development or $200,000 for Regional Collaboration; minimum 20% match
Summary: Supports projects strengthening Michigan’s rural communities, land-based industries, infrastructure, workforce, and regional collaboration.
Key Information: Applicants may lead only one LOI and application per round, across both funding categories.
Description
The Rural Development Fund provides competitive grants for projects that promote the expansion and sustainability of Michigan’s land-based industries and strengthen rural infrastructure, economies, workforce, and communities. The Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) administers the program with oversight from the Rural Development Fund Board. Land-based industries include food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism.
Supported work includes infrastructure and community facilities, housing, childcare, transportation, health, recreation, food access, workforce training, business development, and planning or capacity building needed to implement projects. A Regional Collaboration category supports new formalized shared-service models and regional administrative capacity serving multiple counties. The program emphasizes sustainable economic opportunities, local capacity, and partnerships, with preference for projects located in or primarily benefiting Upper Peninsula communities.
