Michigan's Rural Readiness Program

On June 4, the state of Michigan announced an expansion of Michigan’s Rural Readiness Program.

The program was launched to help rural communities bring federal grant money home to improve roads, housing, economic development, and more. It also includes Rural Readiness Grants for planning and project development.

The Rural Readiness Program’s expansion includes:

• A Rural Readiness Network that will work to connect communities with resources, trainings, and partners that will further assist with community improvement.
• Rural Readiness planning support and resources to help develop and plan projects and apply for grants.
• A proposed continuation of the Rural Readiness Grant Program.
• A Rural Leadership Program, which will offer rural residents an opportunity to improve their leadership skills and knowledge in fields like community governance, economic development, and planning.

“We continue to see increases in economic opportunities, advancements to supply chains, and investments into critical infrastructure, especially within Michigan’s rural communities,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring. “This expansion of the Rural Readiness program will provide new opportunities for our rural communities to thrive while fostering sustainable and long-lasting progress for future generations. Investing in Rural Michigan is a win-win for all.”

More information about the program is available at Michigan.gov/RuralReadiness.