Businesses and others serving rural Michigan (especially land-based industries like agriculture, forestry and tourism) can seek up to $100,000 (or $200,000 regional) with 20% match; Letter of Intent due Nov 2, 2026.
The Rural Development Fund offers grants to promote the sustainability of land-based industries (food and agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas production, tourism) and support infrastructure, economies, workforce and communities in rural Michigan. Category 1 (Community and Business Development) awards up to $100,000 over one year and Category 2 (Regional Collaboration) up to $200,000 over two years, with a minimum 20% match; businesses and individuals are eligible applicants. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent, open since October 1, 2026 and due November 2, 2026 at 5 p.m.; invited applicants then submit a full application.
Eligible applicants include individuals, organizations, businesses, local units of government, federally recognized tribes, educational institutions and regional planning or economic/workforce development organizations.
Projects must serve or be located in an eligible rural area.
Minimum 20% match of the grant amount (cash, in-kind or a combination).
Each eligible organization may submit only one Letter of Intent and application as Lead Applicant per round.
Preference for projects located in or primarily benefiting Upper Peninsula communities; state agencies are ineligible.
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