Thank you for visiting the Cooperative Extension Program-Rural Business Project website.

The mission of the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A & M University is to deliver research based, informal education focused on identified issues and needs to Texans with primarily limited resource, diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Cooperative Extension Program - Rural Business Project serves as a resource and assistance center for limited resource families and individuals needing to start or expand small businesses. On this website, you will be able to learn about the various resources available to Texans not only within the Cooperative Extension Program, but throughout the state.

For additional information feel free to contact our headquarters or field offices.

HISTORY OF PROJECT

The Rural Business Project at Prairie View A & M University continues to be of vital importance to under represented groups and individuals in rural Texas communities. The need for this valuable community service was established in 1994 when funder’s realized that limited income communities were lagging in business activity. Limited income communities are comprised of a majority of low-and fixed income families with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

It has been ascertained that among these population groups, business ownership and community/economic development projects lag far behind more established communities which have more resources available to them.

Improvements such as community centers, rural water systems, housing developments, business development, etc., tend to need building, upgrading, repair and/or expansion over time. Technical assistance to undertake these community initiatives in most cases is non-existent in rural communities where many limited resource families and individuals reside.