Northeast Business Builder Award Program (RFBC)

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.

Funding Tracks:

Track 1: Equipment

Back the purchase of special-purpose equipment for post-harvest activities, from processing to market. The minimum award value is $25,000 and the maximum award is $50,000. Farm and food businesses with $350,000 or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Track 2: Business Development

Support business financial acumen and industry knowledge. The minimum award value is $15,000 and the maximum award is $25,000. Farm and food businesses with $350,000 or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Track 3: Product & Market Expansion

Assist businesses in expansion through new products, broader markets and wider distribution. The minimum award value is $50,000, and the maximum award is $100,000. Farm and food businesses with $1M or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

• Farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, and non-profits with $1M or less in annual revenue or $350,000 or less in revenue are eligible to apply (funding track dependent).

• Allowable Uses: Post-harvest activities (farm gate/landing to table), including processing, storage and transportation.

• Unique Entity ID: Applicants must either present a valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) or provide proof that they are in progress of obtaining a UEI at the point of application submission. Explore the Application Checklist for resources on obtaining a UEI.

• The program is inclusive of all types of products produced locally or regionally, and all types of market channels. This includes, but is not limited to, specialty crops, livestock, poultry, dairy, grains, fish, non-food revenue streams from by-products or co-products such as leathers, ornamentals, agritourism, etc. Please visit your regional Center’s website for specific information about the regional Business Builder program. You can find links to each Center’s website and contact information, on the RFBC Awarded Center page of the Regional Food Business Center website.

• Request for Application

• Application Portal

• Application Checklist

• (PDF) Application

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.