RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

SEC. 6012. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. (a) In General.—Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: “(c) Rural Business Development Grants. “(1) In general. The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) in rural areas that primarily serve rural areas for purposes described in paragraph (3). “(2) Eligible entities. The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to— “(A) governmental entities; “(B) Indian tribes; and “(C) nonprofit entities. “(3) Eligible purposes for grants. Eligible entities that receive grants under this subsection may use the grant funds for— “(A) business opportunity projects that— “(i) identify and analyze business opportunities; “(ii) identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; “(iii) assist in the establishment of new rural businesses and the maintenance of existing businesses, including through business support centers; “(iv) conduct regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development; and “(v) establish centers for training, technology, and trade that will provide training to rural businesses in the use of interactive communications technologies to develop international trade opportunities and markets; and “(B) projects that support the development of business enterprises that finance or facilitate— “(i) the development of small and emerging private business enterprise; “(ii) the establishment, expansion, and operation of rural distance learning networks; “(iii) the development of rural learning programs that provide educational instruction or job training instruction related to potential employment or job advancement to adult students; and “(iv) the provision of technical assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or facilities. “(4) Authorization of appropriations. “(A) In general. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $65,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, to remain available until expended. “(B) Allocation. Of the funds made available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, not more than 10 percent shall be used for the purposes described in paragraph (3)(A).” . (b) Conforming Amendment.—Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (11).