The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded MEPOL, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette program, a $212,310 Rural Business Enterprise Grant. This is the third time MEPOL has qualified and received funding from USDA.
MEPOL Director Corinne Dupuy says the funding ensures the development of the state’s small and emerging rural manufacturers. “This grant provides business and technical solutions for rural manufacturers. This would include any of the services MEPOL provides, from Lean training to polymer testing to strategic marketing and business plans. Also, any services rendered through our extensive third party consultant network qualify for grant assistance.”
To qualify, rural companies must make less than $1 million in annual profit, and be located in an area of the state that is deemed rural by the Census Bureau. The funds cannot, however, be used as working capital, capital improvements, or to purchase working equipment.
MEPOL, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette program, is a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of Louisiana’s manufacturers. As part of the nationwide Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEPOL has a built-in network to assist manufacturers in a myriad of professional services including Lean manufacturing, grant assistance, prototyping, and marketing. For more information, visit www.mepol.org or call toll free 800.433.6965.