Business Builder Sub Awards

The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center has over $16 million in Business Builder Subaward grants to award to farms and food businesses to help them achieve their goals and become long-lasting drivers of community health and wealth. 

General Information

  • Maximum award: $100,000 per entity (both for profit and non-profit entities are eligible)

  • No matching funds required

  • BBA grants can be used for: staff time, business planning activities, software implementation, the purchase of specialized equipment (such as food safety or processing equipment), value chain and supply chain coordination, product development, marketing, supply chain analysis and strategy development. Additionally, projects focused on developing shared use kitchens and processing spaces, alternative forms of retail (such as a co-operative), food aggregation or distribution and other mid-tier food-related projects that will serve or are based in a distressed community are also encouraged to apply.

  • BBA grants cannot be used for: purchasing or leasing land, buildings, or real estate, the construction, renovation, demolition, or rehabilitation of any building, structure, or land, non-specialized equipment such as tractors, trucks, or trailers. 

Check back often for updates as we continue to build out this exciting program!

Our Application Process

The first round of grants will open in Fall of 2024.

The application process is currently being developed and will be submitted to the USDA for review in the summer of 2024. Once our process is approved, all potential applicants will be provided with a comprehensive application guide designed to ensure that your business has all of the necessary information to make the process as streamlined as possible.

As we prepare this application we will be reaching out to our region’s community groups, Small Business Development Centers, places of worship, Extension offices, town centers, departments of Agriculture and Health, and others for feedback and to ensure that every one of our farmers and food businesses has access to our region’s Business Builder Subaward program.

Can you help us get the word out about this program? If so, please message us or join our mailing list to stay up to date on our progress.

Prepare to Apply

Everyone that applies for a Business Builder Subaward will need to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI)  through SAM.gov. Prepare for the application process ahead of time by securing your Unique Entity ID now.

A quick start guide can be dowloaded here.

The video below provides instructions on obtaining this identification.