; (2) housing or community economic development projects; and (3) the development of placemaking plans and applications for Federal grants. (b) Eligible applicants To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an applicant shall be a qualified private or nonprofit intermediary organization, including an institution of higher education with an existing community development and planning program, including an extension program, that has demonstrated experience and capacity to provide technical assistance on community development and planning in rural areas. (c) Eligible activities An eligible applicant described in subsection (b) that receives a grant under subsection (a) may use the grant funds to support the capacity building and economic development of identified rural areas and local partners in those rural areas through the following activities: (1) Training and supporting local staff, including relating to systems development and support. (2) Identifying vetted technical consultants for planning and designing physical infrastructure. (3) Facilitating coordination between Federal agencies and local partners. (4) Providing expertise on developing public-private partnerships. (5) Development and project predevelopment activities. (6) Grant writing and grant management activities. (d) Ineligible activities An eligible applicant described in subsection (b) that receives a grant under subsection (a) may not use the grant funds— (1) to fund staffing at a for-profit entity; (2) to purchase or lease real property, buildings, or equipment; (3) to support a non-rural area; or (4) for research and development. (e) Priority In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary may give priority to an eligible applicant described in subsection (b) that serves— (1) a nonmetropolitan area with a high poverty level