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# SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant

**Fact Sheet

##             Overview          

**What does this program do?**

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

**Who may apply?**
                                  - Most state and local governmental entities
                                  - Nonprofits
                                  - Federally recognized tribes

**What is an eligible area?**

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:
                                  - Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
                                  - Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest  Census data

**How may the funds be used?**

To pay predevelopment planning costs, including:
                                  - Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
                                  - Preliminary design and engineering analysis
                                  - Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance

**Are there additional requirements?**

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:
                                  - Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
                                  - Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
                                  - Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

**How do we get started?**
                                  - Applications for this program are accepted year round through your  local RD office .
                                  - Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).

**What governs this program?**
                                  - Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 1774 -  7 CFR 1774
                                  - Section 306 of the  Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act

**Why does USDA Rural Development do this?**

To help very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses.

##             To Apply          

**NOTE:** Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.

##             Other Requirements          

There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above. 

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

##             Contact          

Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find your local contact for this program.

##             Events          

There are currently no events scheduled.