The United States’ tradition of higher education is rooted in the earliest days of North American settlement. Harvard College, founded in 1636 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was followed by numerous state and private colleges that comprised the educational system of colonial America. These institutions were funded through various sources, including state taxes and donations, and primarily trained ministers through religious instruction. Over the 18th and 19th centuries, and as the United States began to take shape as a nation, the landscape of higher education evolved to meet the growing demands of professional training. During this period, the states and the federal government began taking a more defined role in the management and development of higher education.
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Since formation, the United States has utilized grants to distribute resources amongst its various states and peoples. From farmers to industrialists, the federal government has pursued a policy of no-strings-attached funding for a variety of projects that serve the national interest. Because of this, grants have taken and will continue to take, many different and unique forms over the years to effectively influence the progression of national goals through for-profit and nonprofit entities. Follow along in this multi-part series, The History of Grants, as we explore some of the most effective and impactful programs that have helped build America, as well as contemporary examples of what we’re doing today to make change happen.
5 Facts About USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program
Small business owners in America today face a variety of challenges to successfully run a profitable organization. Inflation, rising transportation costs as well as a constantly shifting labor market are all potential roadblocks owners must navigate in order to maintain strong profit margins. These challenges are particularly relevant for small businesses owners located in rural areas across the country where long supply chains exacerbate issues. In recent years one of the largest costs for many small businesses, especially agricultural producers, has been the energy costs required for operation where rising costs can be catastrophic.
Rural areas across the country are facing issues of aging and declining infrastructure, buildings, and equipment that have widespread consequences for both the economy and the environment. For many farmers and small business owners, energy-inefficient equipment and infrastructure can drastically raise the cost of doing business, placing a further burden on these firms to be financially successful.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun accepting new applications for their Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), designed to expand and “significantly increase” the availability of alternative fuels. This program is a part of the overall national initiative to both solidify America’s energy independence and increase the supply of renewable energy sourced from US agricultural products.
Today, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs that will create more options for meat and poultry farmers by investing in independent, local meat and poultry processing projects that increase competition and enhance the resiliency of the food supply chain.
— U.S. Department of Agriculture.
