Contacts
EOED Contact Information
Online
Mallory Sullivan, Rural Programs Manager
The Details of Rural Development Fund
What you need for Rural Development Fund
The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is pleased to announce the availability of funding from the Rural Development Fund (RDF), through the FY25 Community One Stop for Growth. The RDF is a competitive grant program created to provide financial support for a variety of activities related to economic and community development in rural communities and small towns throughout the Commonwealth.
The Rural Development Fund provides grants for community projects in rural and small towns – specifically towns with a population density of 500 persons per square mile and/or a total population less than 7,000 (based on the 2020 US Census). 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.
RDF 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. Grants are offered for a variety of project types, including community planning efforts, predevelopment activities, and/or construction. See the program guidelines below for a full description of the Rural Development Fund.
How to apply Rural 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 Development Fund
FY25 Round
Eligible municipalities and other public entities are invited to submit project proposals to be considered for funding. The program is designed to support projects that address the unique economic needs and challenges faced by smaller communities, which sometimes includes difficulty competing against larger cities/towns for grant resources.
The Rural Development Fund 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 will streamline the experience for the applicant and better coordinate programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It will also reorient the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic growth strategy, priorities, and investment. Learn more about the One Stop.
More info for Rural Development Fund
Program Guidelines
FY25 Program Guidelines - Rural Development Fund
Application Deadline: June 5, 2024 @ 11:59 PM
Visit the Community One Stop for Growth website at www.mass.gov/onestop, for specific round information and access to the online application.