STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT

USDA Seeks Applications to Support Regional Economic and Community 

Development Planning to Create Thriving Communities for Rural People

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under 

Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is seeking applications to implement regional 

economic and community development projects to create thriving communities for people in rural America.

The 2018 Farm Bill authorized USDA to make this funding available under the Strategic Economic and 

Community Development (SECD) initiative to support projects that will help rural people and economies

prepare for the future. It can be used to implement projects that are included in multi-jurisdictional and multisectoral strategic community investment plans. In fiscal year 2023, this funding is available under the following 

USDA Rural Development programs:

• Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program

• Community Facilities Loan Guarantee Program

• Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program

• Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees

• Rural Business Development Grants

• Community Connect Grants

To be eligible for SECD reserved funding, applicants must meet the requirements and deadlines under the 

covered programs. Applicants must also submit a Form 1980-88 to USDA. See additional requirements below.

• Applications for SECD reserved funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant 

Program, should be submitted electronically via RD Apply. If submitting an electronic application is not 

possible, applicants may submit paper forms at the USDA Rural Development office where the project 

is located.

• USDA will issue an announcement in the coming months when the application window opens for the 

Community Connect Grants program. To apply for SECD reserved funding under this program, 

applicants must submit forms electronically.

• To apply for SECD reserved funding under other grant programs or direct loan programs, applicants 

must submit forms to the USDA Rural Development office where the project is located.

• To apply for SECD reserved funding under loan guarantee programs, applicants must submit their Form 

1980-88 concurrent with the Form 5001-1 and any documentation required under the OneRD Guarantee 

Loan Initiative application guidelines. 
Potential applicants can learn more about SECD by watching this short video on how the initiative can help 

rural communities create strategic growth and help rural Americans thrive: Investing in Rural Communities 

Through Strategic Economic and Community Development - YouTube.

For more information on requirements and deadlines under the covered programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov. For 

additional information on SECD reserved funding, see page 67010 of the Nov. 7, 2022, Federal Register. 

USDA Rural Development encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance key priorities under the 

Biden-Harris Administration to help rural America build back better and stronger. Key priorities include 

creating new and better markets, addressing the impacts of climate change and advancing equity in rural 

America. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. 

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page. 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.