(AP) — Nebraska is among several states receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Cooperate Development program to help rural cooperatives and small businesses.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that $200,000 has been awarded to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to provide technical assistance to businesses interested in the cooperative development model.

The competitively-awarded grants may be used to conduct feasibility studies, create and implement business plans and help businesses develop new markets for their products and services.

Since 2009, the program has awarded 166 grants for approximately $33 million and has helped nearly 3,000 businesses.