WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business and Cooperative Programs (RBCS) Administrator Gimmie Jo Jansonius announced today an $8 million investment to improve the economic condition of rural areas across the country. This funding comes through a partnership agreement with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which administers the funding for Rural Development.
The announcement includes cooperatives like the Montana Cooperative Development Center, Inc. (MCDC). The MCDC will receive $524,993 to expand access to cooperative development services, strengthen governance and leadership, and advance sector-based business opportunities through statewide, regional, and national partnerships. This work will support locally owned businesses, preserve essential rural services and jobs, create new economic opportunities, and enhance education and capacity within Montana’s cooperative ecosystem.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the USDA is supporting cooperatives that are built for this moment—organizations across America that are rooted in community, resilience, and shared purpose,” said Jansonius. “When we support cooperatives, we strengthen farmer profitability, open new market doors, spark innovation, and create jobs in rural America.”
“NIFA is proud to play a role in getting this vital funding into the hands of organizations that are strengthening cooperatives across the country,” said NIFA Administrator Dr. Jaye Hamby. “By supporting the groups that help rural cooperatives start, grow, and thrive, we are supporting a vibrant rural economy and a stronger, more innovative agricultural landscape for the future.”
“We are excited and grateful to receive this two-year investment from USDA and for the continued confidence in our work as a statewide resource for both new and existing cooperatives,” said Montana Cooperative Development Center Executive Director Tracy McIntyre. “Through the alignment of the Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Council of Cooperatives, Montana’s statewide, cross-sector cooperative trade association, we are uniquely positioned to connect cooperative development with the knowledge, experience, and strength of our existing cooperative community.”
The investment through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program will empower 17 cooperatives to drive economic opportunities in rural communities by expanding cooperative and mutually owned business development. During Cooperative Month, USDA is highlighting the ways the Department is investing in cooperatives and creating stronger and more resilient communities. Supporting cooperatives strengthens farmer profitability, expands market access, encourages innovation, creates jobs in rural communities, and reinforces America’s role of leadership in agriculture, food production, and farm security.
Since the start of the Trump Administration and under the leadership of Secretary Rollins, USDA has invested more than $18.1 billion in loans and grants to support 242 cooperatives to spur economic development, invest in critical electric and broadband infrastructure, and build prosperity through rural cooperatives supported by USDA Rural Development’s programs.
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov.
