REI, an Oklahoma non-profit economic development firm was one of 35 groups in 25 states to receive an award from USDA Rural Development under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI). REI was the only Oklahoma organization listed among the recipients.
USDA Rural Development announced a total of $6.3 million in training and technical assistance grants through RCDI was awarded to eligible intermediaries across the nation.
REIs award will launch a training program to five rural non-profits to help them develop and increase their capacity to implement new projects in their communities related to housing, community facilities and economic development. The five non-profit recipients are located in eligible rural, low-income areas in the Oklahoma counties of Jackson, Haskell, Cherokee, Pontotoc and Woods.
USDA and REI are long-standing partners in economic development so we are very pleased that this Oklahoma organization was granted an award among so many others across the nation, said Brent Kisling, state director, USDA Rural Development. The value of such partnerships is that they are a big part of the solution to helping rural communities build their capacity to implement sound economic development projects.
Training and educational sessions will include the Rural Community Facilities Program and Business and Industry Program of USDA Rural Development. Also included in the sessions are small business incubators, global trade opportunities for businesses, tax credit programs, employer-assisted housing program and energy renewal and efficiency training.
Our rural communities face challenges and difficult choices and theres a great need for new economic engines, Tom Seth Smith, REI President & CEO said. Many times their decisions must be based on human, physical and financial resources available to the community which arent always conducive to effective economic development. The recent award to help them build their capacity will bring needed change.
REI has more than 25 years of experience in business and community development. The organization offers business financing, business incubators, tax credit programs, homebuyers incentive programs, Womens Business Center and Native American Business Enterprise Center. REI has offices in Durant, Alva, Lawton, Oklahoma City and Tulsa and partners with Oklahoma banks and economic development agencies throughout Oklahoma to carry out its programs.