Washington - Senator Evan Bayh announced today that the Parke County Redevelopment Commission has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant program to bolster small businesses in Parke County.

Small businesses are the backbone of Indiana’s economy,” Senator Bayh said. “This grant will help Parke County create new jobs and new economic prospects for Hoosiers living in rural communities.

The USDA grant will be used to create a loan program offering low interest-rate loans for small businesses in Parke County that may not be eligible for traditional commercial loans. Under the program, businesses will be able to apply for loans between $10,000 and $15,000 to expand and create new job opportunities.

The Parke County Redevelopment Commission in Rockville serves existing and potential businesses in Parke County by providing local economic information and statistical data, helping to navigate local government, identifying sites and buildings for development, and advocating for business in the community.

The USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program helps fund the development of small and emerging rural businesses, distance learning networks, and employment-related education programs. Small and emerging rural businesses are characterized as those employing 50 or fewer employees with less than $1 million in projected gross revenues.

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