WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued new standardized rules for all future federal grants and cooperative agreements, a move that could affect farmers, small businesses, and rural development projects in Lenawee County.
Under the new directive, all USDA agencies will use the same general terms and conditions when issuing awards, replacing more than 100 different versions previously in use. The change is intended to reduce paperwork, speed up oversight, and simplify compliance for grant recipients.
USDA funding supports a wide range of programs that apply to Lenawee County, including rural business development loans, agricultural assistance, and community infrastructure funding administered through USDA Rural Development and state partners.
Federal officials say the standardized rules will make it easier for local applicants to navigate requirements while allowing the department to enforce federal law consistently across programs.
The new terms apply to future USDA awards nationwide, including those that support rural communities across southeast Michigan.