LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

SEC. 2341. LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. Section 306(a)(11) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)) is amended to read as follows: “(11) (A) (i) The Secretary may make grants, not to exceed $15,000,000 annually, to public bodies, private nonprofit community development corporations or entities, or such other agencies as the Secretary may select to enable such recipients— “(I) to identify and analyze business opportunities, including opportunities in export markets, that will use local rural economic and human resources; “(II) to identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; “(III) to establish business support centers and otherwise assist in the creation of new rural businesses, the development of methods of financing local businesses, and enhancing the capacity of local individuals and entities to engage in sound economic activities; and “(IV) to conduct regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development. “(ii) In awarding such grants, the Secretary shall consider, among other criteria to be established by the Secretary— “(I) the extent to which the applicant provides development services in its rural service area; and “(II) the capability of the applicant to carry out the purposes of this section. “(iii) The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that assistance provided under this subsection is coordinated with and delivered in cooperation with similar services or assistance provided to rural residents by the Extension Service or other Federal agencies. 104 STAT. 4027 “(iv) For grants under this subparagraph, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $7,500,000 in each fiscal year.”.