Technical assistance set-aside for Rural Development discretionary grant programs

(a) Set-Aside established The Secretary shall reserve not less than 2.5 percent of the total amount made available in appropriations Acts for each Rural Development discretionary grant program, to support technical assistance activities under this Act. (b) Use of funds The Secretary shall use funds reserved under subsection (a) for— (1) technical assistance, including training, project scoping, application development support, pre-award planning, post-award compliance assistance, and long-term administrative capacity-building; (2) pre-development support, including engineering, environmental review preparation, and financial feasibility analysis necessary to prepare complete applications; (3) outreach activities, including workshops, webinars, and direct community engagement; or (4) the development of project-ready grant applications for broadband, water and wastewater systems, community facilities, housing, business development, and other rural development priorities. (c) Method of delivery The Secretary may carry out this section through— (1) cooperative agreements; (2) grants or subgrants; or (3) contracts with eligible entities. (d) Priority for assistance In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an entity serving a community that— (1) lacks full-time grant writing or administrative staff; (2) has historically low participation rates in Rural Development discretionary grant programs; or (3) is located in a persistent poverty, underserved, or high-need rural area. (e) Coordination with State offices Each State office of Rural Development shall— (1) identify high-need communities; (2) collaborate with technical assistance providers; and (3) ensure services are delivered in a geographically balanced and equitable manner. (f) Administrative expense limitation Funds reserved under subsection (a) shall not be taken into account in applying a statutory limitation on administrative expenses applicable to a Rural Development program.