Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Peter Welch
Introduced
Summary
This bill would refocus the RISE grant program to emphasize industries that exist inside a partnership's local service area and expand federal support for rural economic projects. It shifts eligibility from narrowly defined "industry clusters" to locally defined industries and sets new targeting rules for small and very small rural communities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More RISE grant funding for rural areas
This bill would authorize $50,000,000 for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 to carry out the RISE grant program. The Agriculture Secretary would run the program and use the money for grants to rural partnerships, communities, and small businesses. The authority would take effect on enactment and the section would expire on September 30, 2031.
RISE grants target smaller rural communities
This bill would change who can get RISE grants and what activities qualify. It would focus grants on industries in the partnership's service area and replace narrow "industry cluster" language with broader "activities funded with the grant." The Agriculture Secretary would be required to target many rural community types, emphasize communities under 20,000 people, and ensure at least 10% of grant dollars each year benefit communities under 10,000 people. The Secretary would also need the applicable State rural development office's concurrence before selecting a grantee and ensure diverse industry representation among awardees.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peter Welch
VT • D
Cosponsors
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Sponsored 2/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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