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The Details of Rural and Small Town Development Fund
What you need for Rural and Small Town Development Fund
The Rural and Small Town Development Fund provides grants for capital and community planning projects in rural and small towns - towns with populations less than 7,000 or with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile (measured by the 2020 US Census). This competitive grant program awards funds based on the project’s nexus with housing, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, community development, and priorities identified by the Commonwealth's Rural Policy Advisory Commission. See the program guidelines below for a full description of the Rural and Small Town Development Fund.
Rural and Small Town Designation
Towns are designated as a rural and small town every decade after the U.S. Census. Towns do not need to do anything to receive this designation and only those towns with populations less than 7,000 OR with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile are eligible for this designation.
Guidelines and Application Template
Please review the FY24 Rural and Small Town Development Fund Guidelines and the FY24 One Stop Full Application - Rural and Small Town Template prior to submitting a full application.
How to apply Rural and Small Town Development Fund
This program is part of the Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal and collaborative review process of community and economic development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. This process streamlines the experience for the applicant and better coordinates programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It also reorients the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic development strategy, priorities, and investment. Access to this program is exclusively available through the One Stop. Learn more about the One Stop.
Next steps for Rural and Small Town Development Fund
For Award Recipients
Rural and Small Town Development Fun applicants who have received a Rural and Small Town grant will find additional resources, including quarterly reports and invoice templates and tutorial and webinar recordings, in the Award Recipient Resources page.
More info for Rural and Small Town Development Fund
Rural and Small Town Awards
The Rural and Small Town Development Fund has been making investments in Rural and Small Towns since 2022 (FY22). Learn about the projects that have been awarded Rural and Small Town grants.
Rural and Small Town Designation
Please review the Rural and Small Town Designation List for the most recently designated rural and small towns. Towns are designated through 2020 Census data and do not need to take any action to receive this designation.
Guidelines and Application Template
Please review the FY24 Rural and Small Town Development Fund Guidelines and the FY24 One Stop Full Application - Rural and Small Town Template prior to submitting a full application.