Rural Business Development and Assistance

• USDA Rural Development– Idaho
• Small Business Administration – Rural Businesses
• Rural Opportunity Zones and HubZones
• Idaho’s Rural Business Center – University of Idaho
• Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) – provides training and technical assistance to drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho communities with populations under 10,000.
• Elmore County Rural Development Organization – assists rural businesses in Elmore County

Idaho Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture oversees Idaho’s agricultural, livestock and food production industries and ag-related businesses, including:

• farming, ranching
• florists and nurseries (plants)
• dairies
• feed lots
• livestock, including cervidae
• livestock auction sales
• fish farms (aquaculture)
• commercial beekeepers
• pesticide applicators
• organic farming
• organic fertilizer manufacturers
• farmer’s markets and other seasonal food-related activities

The Department also manages programs to control noxious weeds and invasive insects and monitors Idaho’s Agricultural Water Quality Program.

• Market Development Program: Domestic and international marketing assistance
• Organic Certification: Crops, livestock and handlers/processors
• Financial Resources: for agricultural businesses
• Starting a Craft Food Business in Idaho
• Establishing a Farmer’s Market in Idaho

Idaho Department of Commerce

• Rural Community Investment Fund – available to communities and tribes to promote economic development and job creation
• Idaho Gem Grant – community economic development assistance
• Tourism Resources – rural tourism development