The Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) is launching the latest round of the Rural Development Fund grant with $4 million available to support projects that strengthen rural communities, infrastructure, workforce and economic development across Michigan. 

“Rural communities understand their needs and are developing innovative solutions to address them,” said Sarah Lucas, director of the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity. “Through the Rural Development Fund, we are providing communities and regional partners with flexible resources to build capacity, strengthen local economies and advance projects that will make a lasting difference for rural Michigan.” 

The 2027 grant cycle includes two funding categories: 

• Category 1: Community and Business Development provides grants of up to $100,000 for projects supporting infrastructure, community facilities, workforce and economic development, business development, planning and capacity building. 
• Category 2: Regional Collaboration provides grants of up to $200,000 for projects establishing formalized regional partnerships and shared-service models that build organizational capacity and address multi-county needs by allowing multiple communities or organizations to jointly use staff, expertise and systems. 

Eligible applicants include individuals, tax-exempt organizations, businesses, local units of government, federally recognized Tribes, educational institutions, regional planning agencies and economic or workforce development organizations. Projects must serve one or more eligible rural areas in Michigan. 

Communities can apply through the Letter of Intent Period for the 2027 Rural Development Fund grant cycle by 5 p.m. EDT on Nov. 2, 2026. 

Complete program guidelines, frequently asked questions, the Letter of Intent template and the submission link are available on the Rural Development Fund grants webpage.