§ 4284.540 - Grant selection criteria.

Grants will be awarded under this subpart on a competitive basis. The priorities described in this paragraph will be used by RBS to rate preapplications. RBS review of preapplications will include the complete preapplication package submitted to the Rural Development State Office. Points will be distributed according to ranking as compared with other preapplications on hand. All factors will receive equal weight with points awarded to each factor on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis depending on the applicant's ranking compared to other applicants.

(a) Preference will be given to applications that:

(1) Demonstrate a proven track record in administering a nationally coordinated, regionally or State-wide operated project;

(2) Demonstrate previous expertise in providing technical assistance in rural areas;

(3) Demonstrate the ability to assist in the retention of business, facilitate the establishment of cooperatives and new cooperative approaches, and generate employment opportunities that will improve the economic conditions of rural areas;

(4) Demonstrate the ability to create horizontal linkages among businesses within and among various sectors in rural areas of the United States and vertical linkages to domestic and international markets;

(5) Commit to providing technical assistance and other services to underserved and economically distressed rural areas of the United States;

(6) Commit to providing greater than a 25 percent matching contribution with private funds and in-kind contributions;

(7) Evidence transferability or demonstration value to assist rural areas outside of project area; and

(8) Demonstrate that any cooperative development activity is consistent with positive environmental stewardship.

(b) Each preapplication for assistance will be carefully reviewed in accordance with the priorities established in this section. A priority rating will be assigned to each preapplication. Preapplications selected for funding will be based on the priority rating assigned each preapplication and the total funds available. All preapplications submitted for funding should contain sufficient information to permit RBS to complete a thorough priority rating.