PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
Provide accelerated assistance to rural communities faced with acute economic problems associated with Federal, State or private sector resource management decisions and policies and that are located in or near a national forest and are economically dependent upon forest resources. Aid is extended to these rural communities to help them develop strategic action plans to diversify their economic base and to improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of rural areas.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. AGRICULTURE;
- Technical Assistance, Information and Services;
- Forestry;
2. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE;
- Economic Development;
3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT;
- Planning and Research;
- Rural Community Development;
- Technical Assistance and Services;
4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY;
- Research, Education, Training;
5. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT;
- Education;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Rural;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);