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FY 2021 USDA Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit for WYOMING ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page i Background USDA Rural Development is charged with assisting in the startup, development, and expansion of small and emerging businesses and/or non-profits in rural communities. Rural Development supports this portion of the overall mission through two grant programs, the RBEG and RBOG programs, combined into the RBDG program. The Agency combined 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G & 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G into the RBDG rule as 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. Rural Development has also integrated applicable general provisions of 7 CFR part 4284, subpart A into the RBDG rule. Essentially, the Agency did not change any of the requirements of either program but blended the two regulations into one and eliminated duplicative portions so that there is only one set of requirements. The Agency also combined definitions so that the public has one definition for both programs as well as blended the scoring requirements of both former regulations. Finally, the Agency blended the application process into one streamlined set of procedures under the RBDG funding, incorporating the statutory language of the 2014 Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)) specifying how the funding would be split. Rural Development awards to eligible public bodies, non-profit corporations and federally recognized Indian Tribes so that they may support the development and/or expansion of small and emerging businesses in rural communities. Enterprise Grant type funds may be used to: Acquire or develop land, buildings, plants, equipment; access streets and roads, parking areas, utility extensions, necessary water and supply and waste disposal facilities; provide technical assistance; establish revolving loan funds; and to create, expand, or operate rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job training instruction related to potential employment or job advancement to adult students. Opportunity Grant type funds are made to public bodies, non-profit corporations and federally recognized Indian Tribes to analyze rural business (small and emerging or larger business) opportunities, identify and/or provide training opportunities to rural entrepreneurs, conduct leadership development, establish training or technology centers and conduct technical assistance or area-wide planning activities. Grant funds may be used for projects identified as either ‘business opportunity’ type grants or ‘business enterprise’ type grants. The Agency will set-aside 10 percent of its RBDG appropriation for business opportunity type grants. The Agency reserves the right to reallocate funds set-aside for business opportunity type grants to business enterprise type grants, if it becomes apparent to the Agency that there is insufficient demand for the funds set-aside for the business opportunity type grants. Please provide one original of complete application package to: Scott Sutherland Business and Cooperative Programs Director USDA Rural Development PO Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602 or 100 East B St., Room 1217, Casper, WY 82601 USDA Rural Development home page is: http://www.rd.usda.gov/ USDA Rural Development Wyoming home page is: USDA Rural Development RBDG NOSA: FY21 RBDG NOSA.pdf You may reach out to Business Programs Staff with any questions at (307) 233-6717 or (307) 233-6706. ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page ii Checklist This application guide and the required attachments may serve as your Rural Business Development Grant application. Please complete all questions, attach requested forms and complete and attach the requested information in each of the appendices. If an area does not apply to your grant, please indicate It is recommended you print this guide, read it through its entirety, and then begin to build your RBDG application. A word version of this application guide is available upon request. This guide does not replace RD Instruction 4280-E, “Rural Business Development Grants.” Your application will be processed in accordance with RD Instruction 4280-E. Required forms listed within the application are either hyper-linked and/or available on our website, or from any USDA Rural Development office. You must submit your complete application to the USDA Rural Development Wyoming State Office in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on March 31, 2021. Applications may be emailed to: [EMAIL REDACTED] by the deadline. You may also hand-deliver your complete application to any of our field offices, and it must be received by close of business on March 31, 2021. Late applications are not eligible. --Before submitting your application, please ensure that you have completed the following: S.A.M. Registration All applicants for federal grant funding must register in the System for Award Management (SAM), at whether applying electronically or by paper (fee free). Registration in SAM may take 1-1.5 hours to complete, which requires a DUNS tax ID and business name, statistical and financial information about the business (including number of employees and annual receipts for each of previous 3 years), and Electronic Funds Transfer information for payment of grant disbursements to grantee (Routing Account ACH contact). Registration activation will take 1-5 days with an established tax ID; OR 2-5 weeks if a new Employer Identification Number is used. A cage code number (aka CCR) and expiration date will be provided when the registration is activated and must be included in your RBDG application information. For technical assistance, call the toll-free assistance line at 1-[PHONE REDACTED] and press Enter the registration cage code and expiration date in field 5(a), “Federal Entity Identifier,” on Form SF-424. This registration must remain active, with current information, for the full duration for which an entity has an application under consideration by an Agency &/or has an active federal Award. To remain registered in SAM.gov after initial registration, the applicant is required to renew, review & annually update their info. at www.SAM.gov to ensure it is current, accurate & complete. Applicants must ensure they complete the ‘Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations’ in SAM*. Required Forms: (may be accessed via Internet Explorer or Google Chrome with Adobe Reader 8 or higher) ☐Form SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” ☐Form SF-424A, “Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs” SF-424 forms can be accessed at: At this webpage, choose the SF-424, and the SF-424A: ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page iii ☐Form RD 400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement” ☐Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement” ☐RD Inst. 1940-Q, EXH A-1, “Certification for Contracts, Grants, & Loans” ☐Environmental Checklist ☐Section 6025 Strategic Economic & Community Development Information (verify w/ USDA if it applies) [*Due to the update in SAM, the following forms are no longer required: SF-424B, AD-1047, AD-1048, AD-1049, AD-1050, AD- 1052, AD-3030, and AD-3031.] Environmental Requirements: ☐ Environmental Information Packet: Consult USDA for project appropriate material. ☐Intergovernmental Review Comments: Consult USDA for state specific requirements. Non-Profits: Include in Appendix A: ☐ Articles of Incorporation (including any amendments) ☐ Bylaws (including any amendments) ☐ Current (within 12 months) Certificate of Good Standing issued by the appropriate Secretary of State. ☐ Board Resolution authorizing entity to apply and administer the RBDG including the name and title of the person authorized to sign grant documents. Public Bodies: Include in Appendix A: ☐Documentation of organization (dated established if other than city, county, or state government). ☐Resolution passed by the governing board authorizing entity to apply and administer the RBDG/RBOG, including the name and title of the person authorized to sign grant documents. Section 1. Summary Information: ☐Legal name of applicant ☐Requested Grant Amount ☐DUNS # ☐SAM Registration Cage Code and Expiration Date ☐Certification of Relationship to RD employee, Certification of Serving Rural Areas, Certification of Citizenship, Certification of Assisting Small and Emerging Businesses (Enterprise Grant only) Section 2. Applicant Type: ☐Non-profit corporation ☐Public Body / Municipality ☐Federally recognized Indian Tribe Section 3. Project Eligibility: ☐Business Enterprise Project OR ☐Business Opportunity Project ☐Demonstration of Need ☐Demonstration of Need ☐Clear identification (list) of Small and ☐Economic Development Result Emerging Business(es) to be assisted ☐Local and Area Strategic Plans ☐Suggested Performance Criteria ☐Suggested Performance Criteria ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page iv Section 4. Scope of Work: ☐ Project Type / Description: Tech Assistance, Site, Feasibility Study, RLF ☐ Proposed Activities to be Accomplished ☐ Timeframe for Individual Activity Completion ☐ Timeframe (months) To Project Completion ☐ Timeframe from Grant Approval to Project Start Checklist continued: Section 5. Written Narrative: ☐ Project Need ☐ Project Benefits ☐ Demonstrate Project Meets Eligible Grant Purpose ☐ Area(s) to be Served (be specific) ☐ Project Coordination with Area Economic Development Plans ☐ Goals to be Accomplished ☐ Identify Business(es) to be Assisted (if appropriate) ☐ Economic Development to be Accomplished ☐ Summary: How the Project will result in Created, Saved or Supported Jobs ☐ Quantify: Jobs Created, Saved and/or Supported for next 3 Year Period ☐ Description of Applicant Experience – Demonstrated Ability – Key Staff that Support Project ☐ Method and Rationale to Select Service Area and Proposed Benefitting Businesses ☐ Description of Project Methodology: Use of Organization Staff; Consultants; Contractors or Other ☐ Work Plan and Budget Appendices: ☐Appendix A – Organizational Documents §4280.427(b) ☐Appendix B – Latest 3 Years Financial Information §4280.427(e) ☐Appendix C – Supplemental Funds Verification §4280.427(g) ☐Appendix D – Letters of Commitment from Businesses to be assisted (include jobs saved/created) Letters of Support §4280.435(h) ☐Appendix E – Additional Supporting Documentation Rural Business Development Grant Instructions: ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 1 Application Template Section 1: Summary Information Legal Name of Applicant: (Verify from Articles/Bylaws) Requested Grant Amount: $ Applicant Type–Check One: ☐Nonprofit Entity ☐Public Body/Government Entity ☐Federally recognized Indian Tribe Project Type – Check One: ☐Enterprise Grant ☐Opportunity Grant DUNS # NAICS Code # SAM/CCR Registration Cage Code: Expiration Date: Jobs Summary: [Provide a summary of jobs on an FTE basis “prior to” and “projected at Year Full Time Part Time Current existing # of jobs 0 0 Projected jobs to be created as a result of this project 0 0 Projected jobs to be saved as a result of this project 0 0 Businesses Assisted Summary: Number of Businesses Total Businesses to be assisted: 0 Type of sub-business assisted: 1 Farmer/Rancher 0 Small Business 0 Individuals 0 Groups 0 Cooperatives 0 Type of Plan to be accomplished for the business (i.e. feasibility, business plans): 1 “Total Businesses Assisted” must equal the sum of “Sub-Businesses Assisted” ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 2 Project Summary: [Provide a concise summary of your proposed project] All Grant Applicants – Complete certifications 1 – 3. 1. Relationships to RD employees To assure the high standards of honesty, integrity, and impartiality maintained by Rural Development employees, we need to identify any Rural Development assistance to be provided to employees, their relatives, or their business, or close personal associates. This includes insured or guaranteed, loans or grants to individuals or organizations. If you know of any relationship or association you (the applicant) may have with a Rural Development employee, please provide this information, or advise if there is none. Your response will allow us to make special provisions for processing, but will not affect your application status. Immediate family, other relatives or close associates who are USDA Rural Development employees, if any, are listed here If none, indicate here 2. Rural Location Applicant (grantee) organizations may be located in “rural” or “non-rural” communities. Benefitting business (es) must be located in a rural community with a population of 50,000 or less population and not located in a city or town located within the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town with a population over 50,000. You may verify rural eligibility of benefitting business (es) using the Rural Eligibility Website. Note your agreement here that all business(es) to be served will be located in eligible rural area(s). 3. Citizenship Requirement All business (es) assisted with grant funds must be at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or resident aliens (persons legally admitted for permanent residence). Note your agreement here that all proposed businesses assisted will be at least 51 % owned by U.S. citizens or resident aliens Enterprise Grant Applicants Only 4. Small and Emerging Private Business Enterprise Requirement Enterprise Grant Funds. All businesses assisted with RBDG enterprise grant funds must meet the following definition: “Any private business which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and has less than $1 million in projected gross revenues.” Note your agreement here that all business (es) assisted will meet the RBDG program definition of a small and emerging private business enterprise 5. Development or Financing of Small & Emerging Private Businesses - §4280.417(b)(2) [Describe how grant funds will be used to finance and/or develop Small and Emerging Businesses in Rural Areas. Supporting documentation may be included in Appendix ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 3 6. Revolving Loan Fund Requests Only - §4280.453 RBDG Revolving Loan Funds are processed in accordance with Subpart 4274-D, Intermediary Relending Program and serviced in accordance with Subpart 1951-R. RBDG revolving loan funds are limited to financing no more than 75% of total project costs. Applicants must identify in the Project Budget the minimum 25% non-federal leveraged funds. Use of Funds: All Agency funds must be used for the purpose of making eligible loan(s). Loans cannot exceed 75% of total project costs in accordance with §4274.331(b)(2). RLF Operating Budget: RLF applications must include an Annual Budget in accordance with §4274.332(b)(2). RBDG revolving loan fund initial administrative costs are the responsibility of the applicant/intermediary. As loans are repaid (by ultimate recipients), the principal and interest will be the basis of the continuation of the revolving loan fund. It must be maintained by the intermediary online with Level 2 access through the LINC RLF system. Subject to an approved Operating Budget, interest collected may be used to offset administrative costs of the Loan Fund. 7. Equipment Purchase Requests Only Provide a detailed list of equipment to be acquired along with supplemental funding (if applicable): Equipment Description RBDG Funds Supplemental Funds If Applicable Notes / Supplement Source Total $ $ Pass Thru Prohibition §4280.423(m)(4) [To prevent the grant funds from being classified as “Pass Thru” please provide a description of how the grantee (applicant) will establish and charge benefitting businesses (ultimate recipients) for the “fair market use” of the equipment.] Opportunity Grant Applicants Only 8. Economic Development Result - §4280.417(b)(1) Opportunity Type Grants may be made only when there is reasonable prospect that the project will result in economic development of a rural area. [Describe the economic development that will occur as a result of the proposed project. Include demonstration of project sustainability. Supporting Documentation can be inserted in Appendix ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 4 9. Consistency with Local and Area Strategic Plans - §4280.417(d) Grants may be made only when the proposed project is consistent with local and area-wide strategic plans for community and economic development, coordinated with other economic development activities in the project area and consistent with the USDA Rural Development State Strategic Plan. [Describe how the project coincides with local or regional strategic plans. Supporting Documentation can be inserted in Appendix All Grant Applicants: Basis for Project Success or Failure §4280.417(c) Demonstrated Need: [Describe the demonstrated need for the project] Project Evaluation: [Describe the basis for determining the success or failure of the project] Project Elements: [Describe the major elements of the project] Project Impact: [Describe the procedures that will be used to assess project impact at its conclusion] Proposed Scope of Work - §4280.427(c) 3.1 Project Description – Opportunity Projects §4280.417(a)(1) or Enterprise Projects §4280.417(a)(2) [Describe the project type: Technical Assistance, Revolving Loan Fund, Industrial Site or Business Opportunity] 3.2 Project Activities and Timeline [Detail the key project activities to be accomplished and identify corresponding timeframes for each task.] 3.2 Project Duration [Outline the months of project duration – explain (if applicable) any major breaks between activity points.] 3.2 Project Implementation [Identify the expected timeframe between Award of Funds and Project Start – explain (if applicable) any delays.] ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 5 Written Narrative - §4280.427(d) 4.1 Project Need [Explain the project need. Supporting documentation can be inserted in Appendix 4.2 Project Benefits [Explain the benefits of the proposed project. Supporting documents can be inserted in Appendix 4.3 Eligible Grant Purpose See: Opportunity Projects §4280.417(a)(1) or Enterprise Projects §4280.417(a)(2) [Explain how the proposed project meets an eligible grant purpose. Supporting documents can be inserted in Appendix 4.4 Area to be Served [Describe the area to be served, identifying each governmental unit (i.e. town, county, etc.) to be affected by the project.] 4.5 Description of Project Coordination with Area Economic Development [Describe the area to be served, identifying each governmental unit (i.e. town, county, etc.) to be affected by the project.] 4.6 Businesses Assisted – Economic Development [Describe the business(es) to be assisted, if appropriate; and Economic Development to be accomplished.] 4.7 Job Impact – 3 Years [Explain how the project will result in newly created, increased or supported jobs and the number of projected new and supported jobs within 3 years.] 4.8 Applicant Experience – Key Personnel [Describe applicant entity demonstrated capability and experience in providing the proposed assistance or similar economic development activities. Include experience of key personnel providing project activities and managing project.] ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 6 4.9 Rationale: Project Area [Describe the method and rationale used to select the area(s) and business(es) that will benefit from assistance.] 4.10: Project Execution [Describe how the work will be performed including whether organization staff, consultants or contractors will be used.] Scoring Criteria: Population - Proposed project(s) will be located in a community that is: 1. Under 5,000 15 points 2. Between 5,000 and less than 15,000 10 points 3. Between 15,000 and 25,000 5 points Scoring Criteria: Unemployment - Proposed project(s) will be located in areas where the unemployment rate: 1. Exceeds the State rate by 25% or more 20 points 2. Exceeds the State rate by less than 25% 10 points 3. Is equal to or less than the State rate 0 points Scoring Criteria: Median Household income - Proposed project(s) will be located in areas where the median household income (MHI) for Wyoming is: 1. Less than poverty line 25 points 2. More than poverty line but less than 65% 15 points 3. Between 65% and 85% 10 points 4. Equal to or greater than 85% 0 points Scoring Criteria: Economic Distress - Points will be awarded for each of the following criteria met by the community or communities to benefit from the grant (cannot exceed 40 points total): 1. Trauma 15 points (Natural disaster occurred not more than 3 years prior to filing application) FEMA Designation 2. Economic distress 15 points (Military Base/Employer 20% or more loss in total jobs) 3. Long-Term Poverty 10 points (Demonstrated by being a former EZ/EC, REAP, CC or a persistent poverty county) - indicate which 4. Long-term population decline 10 points (Demonstrated by latest 3 decennial Census) - Show amounts Subtotal (cannot exceed 40 points) ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 7 4.10 Coordination with Area Economic Development Activities [Description of how the project will coordinate Economic Development activities with other Economic Development Activities within the project area. Supporting documentation can be inserted in Appendix 4.11 Businesses to be Assisted and Economic Development to be Accomplished [Describe Businesses to be assisted (if appropriate) and Economic Development to be accomplished. Supporting documentation can be inserted in Appendix Scoring Criteria: Applicant has written evidence that small business development will be supported by startup or expansion as a result of the grant. 5 points for each letter for separate businesses up to 25 points 4.12 Jobs Created/Saved [Describe how the proposed project will create jobs or save existing jobs in the service area and provide an estimated number of jobs created and jobs saved. This must be evidenced by letters from rural businesses that will be directly assisted in Appendix Number of jobs projected to be created or saved Jobs created are the jobs created by the “businesses assisted” and are directly related to, a result of, and attributed to the project funded by the RBDG project. Jobs created are generally located at the project site; however, jobs created may be located off site if they are employed by the business assisted and are directly related to the project. Examples may include increases in off-site sales staff due to a production expansion project. Enter the estimated number of jobs that will be created if the project is implemented. Part-time and seasonal jobs will be converted to full-time equivalents (FTE): count 2 part-time jobs as 1 full-time job; count 3 seasonal jobs as 1 full-time job. If part-time and/or seasonal jobs add up to a fraction, round up to the next whole number. Scoring Criteria: Applicant has written evidence that the proposed project will create and/or support existing jobs. The number of jobs must be evidenced by a written commitment from the business to be assisted. 1. One job for less than $5,000 25 points 2. One job for 5,000 but less than $10,000 20 points 3. One job for $10,000 but less than $15,000 15 points 4. One job for $15,000 but less than $20,000 10 points 5. One job for $20,000 but less than $25,000 5 points Amount of grant divided by number of jobs = 4.13 Applicant Expertise [Insert key personnel, names and experience of personnel on staff and, if applicable, under contract to be utilized for delivery of project tasks. Identify their connection to the project and include a resume of their experience. Attach resumes and other supporting documentation of experience in Appendix ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 8 Scoring Criteria: Applicant has evidence of successful experience in type of activity. 1. 10 or more years 30 points 2. At least 5 but less than 10 years 20 points 3. At least 3 but less than 5 years 10 points 4. At least 1 but less than 3 years 5 points Number of years’ experience 4.14 Work Plan Narrative [Insert work plan narrative including how the grant purposes will be accomplished and milestones for accomplishing the proposed tasks. Additionally, if selected for funding, provide a statement indicating how soon after notification of grant obligation that project will begin.] a. Project Budget Summary Summarize the total project budget by task. Project should reasonably be completed within 1 full year after it has begun. Insert additional rows as needed. Activity # Task Name and Description Start Date End Date RBDG Funds Supplemental Funds Total Project Costs TOTAL PROJECT $ $ $ b. Sources of Funding [Identify sources and amounts of matching funds. Provide written verifiable commitment of funds from other sources. An authorized representative of the organization contributing funds from another source must provide evidence that the funds are available and will be used for the proposed project. Verification of matching funds documentation should be in Appendix ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 9 c. Task Budget Format Provide a budget table for each task that will be completed for each main activity listed above. [Add additional task tables as needed.] Task #1 Budget Categories RBDG Funds Supplemental Funds Total Project Costs Personnel Fringe Benefits Travel Supplies Contractual Total $ $ $ Provide explanation/clarification of the basis for the above budget figures: [Insert task budget explanation.] Task #2 Budget Categories RBDG Funds Supplemental Funds Total Project Costs Personnel Fringe Benefits Travel Supplies Contractual Total $ $ $ Provide explanation/clarification of the basis for the above budget figures: [Insert task budget explanation.] Scoring Criteria: Leveraging - Applicant has evidence of commitment of funds from non-federal sources for proposed project. If Rural Development portion of project funding is: 1. Less than 20 percent 30 points 2. 20 but less than 50 percent 20 points 3. 50 but less than 75 percent 10 points 4. 75 percent or more 0 points ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 10 Rural Development funds divided by total project costs $ 100 = which is Rural Development’s portion of project funding. Scoring Criteria: Size of Grant Request 1. Less than $100,000 25 points 2. $100,000 to $200,000 15 points 3. More than $200,000 but not more than $500,000 10 points Scoring Criteria: Indirect cost - Applicant is not requesting grant funds to cover their administrative or indirect costs. 5 points Suggested Performance Criteria Suggest one or more relevant criterion to be used to evaluate the performance of the grant project during its operational phase post- award, as benchmarks to assess whether or not the primary goals and objectives proposed in the scope of work are accomplished during the project period. These criteria should relate to the overall project goal of financing and/or assisting small and emerging businesses or conducting business opportunity projects, with a resulting creation or saving of jobs. [Insert Performance Evaluation Criteria] Additional Scoring Criteria: Scoring Criteria: Discretionary points - Either the State Director or Administrator may assign up to 50 discretionary points to an application. Assignment of discretionary points must include a written justification. Permissible justifications are geographic distribution of funds, special Secretary of Agriculture initiatives such as Priority Communities, or a state’s strategic goals. Discretionary points may only be assigned to initial grants. However, in the case where two projects have the same score, the State Director may add one point to the project that best fits the State’s strategic plan, regardless of whether the project is an initial or subsequent grant. Identified State Strategic Goals o Projects that support the USDA’s Bio Economy Initiative o Projects that impact locally produced / locally manufactured food networks and/or distribution systems o Projects located in USDA’s targeted High Poverty Areas in support of USDA’s Poverty Funding Initiative ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit Page 11 Appendices ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit A Appendix A: Organizational Documents Please attach evidence of Legal Authority and Good-standing (examples: By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation or Organization, Letter or Certificate of Good Standing from your Secretary of State or equivalent agency). ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit B Appendix B: Proposed Scope of Work Please attach Proposed Scope of Work. ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit C Appendix C: Supporting Financial Documentation Please attach latest three years financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and current audited reports, if available. ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit D Appendix D: Supplemental Funds Verification Documentation verifying eligible supplemental funds are available and have been committed to the project must be included in your application to qualify for consideration under applicable scoring criterion. Examples of acceptable documentation include: a signed letter from the source of funds stating the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the funds can be used for, an executed grant agreement, and a signed resolution from your governing board authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for the project (if funds will be contributed by the applicant organization). ---PAGE BREAK--- USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application Toolkit E Appendix E: Documentation of Experience Please attach documentation of experience for proposed project activities. ---PAGE BREAK--- Appendix F: Letters of Support