Idaho’s rural communities and entrepreneurs are at the heart of the state.
The Rural Services team and its resources are aimed to help rural Idaho thrive.
The Rural Services team will support and strengthen rural communities and over 180,000 small businesses through a variety of initiatives and programs such as the Idaho Gem Grant, Idaho Main Street Program, the Rural Impact Strategy and Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP).
Find additional resources for rural Idaho below.
44 Go!
44 Go! a partnership between the State of Idaho, institutions of higher learning, local governments and community and economic development stakeholders to leverage resources and coordinate planning efforts. Check back soon for additional information.
Private Activity Bonds (PAB)
Rural Services manages the State of Idaho’s allocation of PAB. Each calendar year, the U.S. Department of Treasury allocates each state an amount of tax-exempt bonds that may be issued for privately funded activities like affordable housing and manufacturing facility projects. The Idaho Commerce director issues certificates that allow the private bonds to be sold as tax exempt. Rural Services ensures that the projects comply with Federal law and that Idaho does not exceed its volume cap.
Rural Economic Development Professionals Program
Amplifying its economic development efforts through the Rural Economic Development Professionals grant program, the Rural Services team partners with 18 experts located in Idaho’s seven regions. Rural communities can tap into the Idaho Rural Economic Development Professionals grant program (Rural ED Pro) which awards grants, in tandem with local funding, to hire full-time economic development professionals. Experts are managed by a local board and work on initiatives such as business retention, expansion, attraction, community development and more.
Grants
Rural Services manages two of Commerce’s rural facing grant programs, the Idaho Gem Grant Program which helps communities with small capital projects and planning for larger ones and the Rural Idaho Economic Development Professionals Grant Program which helps county and regional rural economic development organizations employ paid economic development staff. Along with the grant programs Rural Services curates Show Me the Money, Commerce’s monthly grants newsletter highlighting funding opportunities for a wide array of projects.
Idaho Rural Impact Strategy
Rural Services will take the lead promoting and implementing the Idaho Rural Impact Strategy. Created through the auspices of a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration and with help from the consulting firm TIP Strategies, the Strategy outlines opportunities for sector-based development, job growth, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and placemaking. Check back soon for additional information.
Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP)
Rural Services serves as the point of contact and helps IRP carry out its statutory functions as codified in Idaho Code aka the Idaho Rural Development Partnership Act (Title 67- Chapter 90).
Idaho Rural Success Summit
Rural Services supports the Idaho Rural Success Summit. This annual event brings together a variety of stakeholders from local, state, and federal government, tribes and non-profit organizations that provide community and economic development services in Idaho.
Northwest Community Development Institute (NWCDI)
Rural Services in partnership with Business Oregon conducts the Northwest Community Development Institute (NWCDI) an intensive and invigorating four-and-a-half-day training program designed for economic development professionals, community leaders and elected officials. NWCDI is affiliated with the national Community Development Council (CDC) and is one of five CDC sanctioned institutes and the only one west of the Rockies.
Disaster Recovery
Rural Services represents Commerce on the Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s (IOEM) All Hazzard Mitigation Working Group. Additionally, we assist IOEM in securing assistance for businesses impacted by natural disasters e.g. fire, floods, earthquakes, land slides etc.
Idaho Main Street Program
Rural Services is responsible for the Idaho Main Street Program and its affiliation with Main Street America aka the National Main Street Program. Through Main Street communities learn time tested programmatic approaches to community revitalization focused on downtowns and business districts.