BUSINESS BUILDERS SUBAWARDS GRANT APPLICATION

Business Builder Grant Application

Round 2 | Due April 30th, 2025
NAME OF BUSINESS OR ENTITY*
Unique Entity Identifier (SAM.gov)*
If your business currently does not have a Unique Entity Identifier you may register for one here: www.sam.gov/entity-registration. Your UEI must be active before contract agreements are in place
Business Phone*
Business Email*
example@example.com
Business website
Optional
POINT OF CONTACT:

Please provide information of the best point of contact within the applicant organization or business.
Name*
Title*
Phone*
Email*
example@example.com
Physical Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Mailing Address (If different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Technical Assistance (if applicable):

If you received Technical Assistance from a North Central RFBC Technical Assistance provider, please enter their information below. If you would like to find a North Central RFBC Technical Assistance provider, please visit the following website for a list of contacts: www.northcentralrfbc.org/about
Did you receive assistance from a North Central RFBC Technical Assistance Provider?*
Name of Organization providing Technical Assistance:
Name of Individual providing Technical Assistance:
Email address for Technical Assistance Provider
example@example.com
Technical Assistance Feedback: Please rate your experience with your technical assistance provider

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Worst, 5 is Best
Business or Organization Information
Are you a new or existing business? *
How long has your business or organization been in operation? *
Select the option that describes the PRIMARY focus of your business or organization:*

Farmer, rancher, agricultural productionCooperativeFood HubDistributorCommunity Based Non-profit (501c3)Aggregator (Other than food hub)ProcessorValue-Added ProductionFarmers MarketRetailer (grocer, etc.)Other
Select other focuses of your business (click all that apply):*

Farmer, rancher, agricultural productionCooperativeFood HubDistributorCommunity Based Non-profit (501c3)Aggregator (Other than food hub)ProcessorValue-Added ProductionFarmers MarketRetailer (grocer, etc.)Other
Select the primary agricultural product that is the focus for receiving this award:*

Vegetable, Fruits or Tree NutsDairyLivestock or MeatFish, Shellfish, or other seafoodPoultry and/or EggsHerbsGrains, Pulses, or Oil SeedsForaged or Wild Harvested Foods (not including shellfish)Other
Is your business or organization located in and/or does it serve any of the following priority codes or communities listed below? (Click all that apply)

Appleton, MNClaremont, MNBlackduck, MNGonvick, MNLewisville, MNMoose Lake, MNOnamia, MNRedby, MNSt. James, MNCass Lake, MNBertha, MNClarbrook, MNCanton, MNMahnomen, MNOgema, MNOrr, MNREd Lake, MNVirgina, MNAurora, MNClarissa, MNButterfield, MNLake Benton, MNMcGrath, MNOlivia, MNPonemah, MNSt. Cloud, MNWinger, MNBelcourt, NDCannon Ball, NDCarson, NDDunseith, NDFort Totten, NDFort Yates, NDGlen Ullin, NDHalliday, NDHoople, NDLemmon, NDMaddock, NDMedina, NDMinto, NDParshall, NDRolette, NDSt. Michael NDSelfridge, NDStanton, NDWalhalla, NDAllen, SDBonesteel, SDBryant, SDDoland, SDEdgemont, SDEureka, SDFlandreau, SDFort Thompson, SDFrankfort, SDKyle, SDLake Andes, SDLower Brule, SDManderson-White Horse Creek, SDMartin, SDMission, SDNorris, SDNorth Eagle Butte, SDOglala, SDParmelee, SDPeever, SDPhilip, SDPine Ridge, SDPorcupine, SDRidgeview, SDRoscoe, SDRosebud, SDSaint Francis, SDSisseton, SDSpringfield, SDTripp, SDWaubay, SDWanger, SDWanblee, SDWhite River, SD
Please describe how your business or organization serves the area(s) chosen above.
Project Information

The North Central RFBC intentionally prioritizes: A.) Groups or consortiums of small to mid-sized local foods value chain businesses B.) Applicants that seek to expand markets to institutions that source locally grown/raised commodities. C.) Applicants that address a specific and proven market bottleneck, and D.) Equal distribution of awards across the 3-State region.
Project Title*
Short Summary of Project*
This will be a short summary of your project that will be share publicly if awarded.
Project Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Include anticipated project start date and approximate end date.
Project End Date*

MonthDayYear
Projects in Round 2 must be fully completed and reported by June 30th, 2027.
Has this applicant SUBMITTED for funding to any other USDA-AMS Business Builder Subaward Program?*
If yes, please provide the Center's name and project description.
Has this applicant RECEIVED any other Business Builder Subawards from this Center or any other Regional Food*
If yes, list the name of the Center and the award amounts received.
Which congressional district are the project outcomes of this application primarily focused: *
Need help finding your congressional district? Visit www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
GRANT PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Please answer the following questions.
PURPOSE: What do you want to do? Describe the overall purpose of this project and how is addresses specific bottlenecks in the food supply chain in your region. *
GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Provide a clear and concise description of the specific investments and/or project for which you are seeking funding. Outline the goals and objectives of the project. If the project is intended for eligible program use, please include a complete description of the intended use of funds and their alignment with eligible program costs and activities.*
UNIQUENESS & VALUE: Explain the innovative and unique aspects of your project that differentiate it from existing initiatives in your community. Highlight the importance of your project and the value it adds to the current work being undertaken. If you are able, align your project with one or more of the eight capitals of Wealth Works. (More information on Wealth Works can be found on the Business Builder application website)*
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY: Describe your organization's capabilities, resources, and experience relevant to the project. Include information about the timeline for project implementation and the qualifications of key staff involved. *
OUTCOMES & IMPACT: What outcomes do you hope to achieve? How will these outcomes impact the well-being of cultural, social, and natural community assets? Clearly state the anticipated outcomes and impacts of the project and potential ongoing impacts of this project. Specify how success will be measured and how it will positively affect cultural, social, and natural community assets.*
OVERCOMING BARRIERS: What barriers does this project seek to overcome specifically within the priority communities you identified previously in the application? Identify any existing barriers or challenges that your project aims to address. Explain how the project will contribute to overcoming these barriers.*
Project Budget & Narrative

Please utilize the Budget Worksheet to build your budget and to find definitions of allowable costs. You will find the Budget Worksheet on the main subaward webpage. You must fill in the budget items, provide budget justification for each cost category within the Buget Worksheet and upload the worksheet below. Your application will be considered incomplete if the Budget Worksheet is not attached.
Please select the primary activity for this award:*

Staff TimeSoftware ImplementationMarketingTrainingsPurchase of EquipmentValue Chain and Supply Chain Coordination and InnovationBusiness Planning ActivitiesProduct DevelopmentBusiness ExpansionMaintenanceOther
Budget Narrative
Please describe how this funding will impact your business or organization. What will you be able to achieve? If you do not receive the full amount of funding as requested, how does that change your project? Although no match is required, please describe any other funding sources that are supporting this project. *
Funds Requested

Please transfer the amounts from your Budget Workbook into the cost categories below:
Personnel Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Fringe Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Travel Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Equipment Funds Requested:*
Please submit in $0.00 format
Supplies Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Contractual Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Other Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format
Indirect Cost Rate *
Please submit in % ratio. Type N/A if not applicable.
Indirect Funds Requested: *
Please submit in $0.00 format.
Total Award Amount Requested:*
Please submit in $0.00 format. This amount needs to match the total in your Budget Workbook
Please Upload your BUDGET WORKBOOK:*

Cancelof
Please upload any bids or estimates that support your budget. This is required for equipment over $5,000 or any contractual services.

Cancelof
Assurances:
Type a question

I confirm this project has not or will not receive federal funding for the same or similar project/program or workThere are NO conflicts of interest between the Center and my project/program proposed in this applicationI have authorization on behalf of my project/program to execute a grant agreement.I have not been convicted of fraud to any government run program. Neither I nor any of the principals of the organization are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.I understand equipment purchases over $5,000 are subject to addtional requirements at the end fo the program period. Refer to the cost guidance and 2CFR 200.313 for more information.
Payment Process Information

I understand that Business Builder awardees have the option of advance payments or to receive reimbursement payments for approved budget expenses. I understand that the terms of payment will be determined by need and eligibility for advance payment and will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the conditions and criteria detailed in 2 CFR 200.305. If advance payments are made the terms will be clearly articulated in the disbursement schedule and reporting timeline/requirements within any executed agreement.
Award Payment Process Selection*

I would like to use the Reimbursement Process for my awardI would like to use the Advance Payment process for my award
Understanding Reporting

If awarded, recipients must have the capacity to fulfill reporting requirements. These assurances do not reflect the full responsibilities of an award recipient. Refer to the subaward agreement templates on the main subaward website for additional information on reporting and requirements. Checking these boxes does not reflect your eligibility for an award but does help the North Central RFBC team understand your capacity and possible technical assistance needed.
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

Submitting mid-point and final progress reports that include a series of questions/surveys and financial reports.
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

View a pre-award recorded 1 minute video prior to fund disbursements. This video discusses Federal Cost Principles (Subpart E - Cost Principles of 2 CFR 200)
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

Accepting input from North Central Regional Food Business Center (RFBC) technical assistance providers, evaluators, and grant compliance staff.
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

Sharing my project outcomes and story with North Central RFBC and USDA-AMS. This may include a recorded interview by Center staff within 60 days after the end of the award term.
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

Filling out a Data Profile Form that will include demographic information. The data will be used to report back to USDA-AMS
If awarded, I understand I will be agreeing to:

A media release that allows the Center to share the name and general location of my business or organization, amount awarded, and the projected outcomes of the award.
Submit Application

Applications should be submitted online by Noon on April 30, 2025
By signing this application, I attest that the information provided is true to the best of my knowledge and that I will provide any additional information requested by the North Central Regional Food Business Center cooperator; Region Five Development Commission, upon request.
Signature*

Clear
Please type the name of the person signing this form: *
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Email address for individual listed above*
example@example.com
Should be Empty:

Business Builder Grant Application

POINT OF CONTACT:

Technical Assistance (if applicable):

Business or Organization Information

Project Information

GRANT PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Project Budget & Narrative

Budget Narrative

Funds Requested

Assurances:

Payment Process Information

Understanding Reporting

Submit Application