Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Reauthorization Act of 2026, aims to reauthorize and significantly expand the existing Rural Innovation Stronger Economy grant program. It authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 , providing a substantial increase in funding for rural development initiatives. The legislation also introduces changes to make the program more inclusive and responsive to the needs of various rural community types. Key provisions include directing the Secretary to prioritize a broad range of rural communities, with a particular emphasis on those with populations fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, the bill mandates that at least 10 percent of the total grants awarded each fiscal year must benefit rural communities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants . The legislation also removes specific language related to "industry clusters" from various sections, thereby broadening the scope of eligible activities and partnerships to foster more flexible and diverse economic growth strategies in rural areas. Grant selections will also require concurrence from the applicable State office of the rural development mission area.