Appalachia Business Builder Award Program (RFBC)

Message from The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center team:

We are disappointed to receive notice that the US Department of Agriculture has decided to terminate the Regional Food Business Center program. The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center, led by Rural Action and a large network of partners will conclude on September 15th, 2025. We are proud of the work that our team has accomplished and their dedication to farms and food businesses across the Appalachian region and beyond.

After September 15th and until spring of 2026, we’ll turn our attention to our 56 Business Builder Subaward recipients to assist them in making their projects as impactful as possible. We’re grateful that we’re able to support them and can’t wait to share more information about how their projects will positively impact the Appalachia food system.

We are so grateful for the passion and commitment to this work demonstrated by our Partners, the incredible local farms and food businesses throughout the region, and the dedicated staff at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, who have been so supportive of our work. ** **

With gratitude,

The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center team

The USDA Regional Food Business Centers support farms and food businesses to create new market opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen their regional supply chains. In partnership with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Regional Food Business Centers are operated by lead organizations and partner networks embedded across each region. They offer technical assistance, capacity building awards, and coordinate services to catalyze the growth of regional food economies. Visit the Awarded Centers webpage for further information.

• Entities earning less than $5 Million in gross revenue as reported on their most recent tax return are eligible for this round of BBS funding.

• **This award can be used for: ** staff time, business planning activities, software implementation, the purchase of specialized equipment (such as food safety or processing equipment), value chain and supply chain coordination, product development, marketing, supply chain analysis and strategy development. Additionally, projects focused on developing shared use kitchens and processing spaces, alternative forms of retail (such as a co-operative), food aggregation or distribution and other mid-tier food-related projects that will serve or are based in a distressed community are also encouraged to apply.

• **This award cannot be used for: ** purchasing or leasing land, buildings, or real estate, the construction, renovation, demolition, or rehabilitation of any building, structure, or land, non-specialized equipment such as tractors, trucks, or trailers. 

• Application Checklist

Interested in applying? You could get a subscription to Ambrook subsidized by this grant. This grant covers software costs for financial management and bookkeeping tools - Ambrook helps you track your income and expenses, by enterprise, so you can run a financially sustainable business. Questions? Go to ambrook.com to learn more or contact sherry@ambrook.com to incorporate this into your grant.