Rural businesses in Nebraska can apply for grants to help them grow.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office is overseeing the grants that can be used in several ways.

Last year, four grants worth a total of $170,000 were awarded in Nebraska as part of the program. And a separate $99,000 grant was awarded under a similar program that’s designed to help Native Americans.

Grants are only available to businesses in areas with less than 50,000 population. Applications are due by Feb. 24. More details are available online at http://1.usa.gov/1io4ICT .