For More Information

At USDA Rural Development, we have more than 

40 loan, grant, and technical assistance programs 

to support economic development needs in rural 

communities. Many programs give a priority for 

funding to very small communities, underserved 

groups, and economically distressed areas.

Assistance under these programs is available to 

applicants in areas designated as “rural.” Under law, the 

definition of “rural area” is different for each program.

Information on all USDA Rural Development 

programs is available online or from the office 

serving your area.

www.rd.usda.gov

1 (800) 670-6553 (toll free)

USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider, employer, and lender.

PA-2196

July 2016

Rural Business and 

Cooperative Programs

Business development creates job opportunities 

that help rural communities attract and retain 

skilled workers. We provide capital, technical 

support, educational opportunities, and 

entrepreneurial skills for rural residents to start 

and grow businesses. Energy programs help 

rural small businesses and agricultural producers 

make their operations more energy efficient and 

support production of renewable energy. We 

also help people start cooperative businesses 

or improve existing ones through education, 

research, technical assistance, and funding.

Major programs:

· Business and Industry Loan Guarantees: 

Provides financial backing to start or 

expand rural businesses. Loans are made by 

participating local lenders and guaranteed 

by USDA.

· Intermediary Relending Program: Loans to 

local intermediaries that re-lend to businesses 

and for community development projects.

· Rural Businesses Development Grants: 

Technical assistance and training, such as 

project planning and feasibility studies, to help 

small and emerging businesses.

· Rural Energy for America Program: Loan 

guarantees and grants to agricultural producers 

and rural small businesses to buy or install 

renewable energy systems or make energyefficiency improvements.

· Value-Added Producer Grants: Help farmers 

and ranchers add value to their products through 

new processing methods, or tap into new 

markets, to increase their income.

From USDA Rural Development

Help for 

Rural Americans
Rural Community Programs

We offer help to make your community a better 

place to live. Assistance includes long-term fixed-rate 

financing for projects to improve infrastructure, 

support public health and safety, or promote 

economic development. We can help you build 

libraries, child-care facilities, schools, and other 

essential community facilities. We also provide 

funding to extend and improve water, waste water, 

and solid waste disposal systems in rural areas.

Major programs:

· Community Facilities Loans and Grants: 

Direct and guaranteed loans for essential 

facilities, and grants for very small, lower 

income rural communities based on need.

· Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants: 

Funding for drinking water systems, sewer 

systems and solid waste disposal, and storm water 

drainage to households and businesses in rural areas.

Rural Housing Programs

Safe, affordable housing is essential to help rural 

communities thrive. We offer affordable loans, loan 

guarantees, grants, and technical assistance to help 

people buy, build, or repair their homes and to build, 

repair, or renovate rural rental housing facilities.

Major programs:

· Single-Family Housing Loans: Direct loans and 

loan guarantees to buy an existing home, to build 

a new home, or to buy and prepare a lot for new 

construction. Help is also available to refinance an 

existing home. We partner with lenders to provide the 

most affordable mortgage options for loan guarantees.

· Home Repair Program: Loans for home repairs or 

to improve or modernize a home for families and 

individuals with limited income. For seniors age 62 

and over who cannot afford a loan, grant funds are 

available to remove health and safety hazards.

· Multi-Family Housing Loans: Direct loans and loan 

guarantees to finance rental housing complexes for 

rural families, seniors, and people with disabilities 

at affordable rents. Some tenants may receive rental 

assistance to help with monthly rent payments. 

USDA partners with participating local private-sector 

lenders for loan guarantees.

· Farm Worker Housing: Financing options to develop 

affordable housing for year-round, migrant, or 

seasonal domestic farm workers.

Rural Utilities Programs

We help rural communities build or improve 

infrastructure systems, including water 

and waste treatment, electric power, and 

telecommunications services such as high-speed 

broadband Internet access.

Major programs:

· Electric Loans: Financing for generation, 

transmission, and distribution facilities 

in rural areas, including smart-grid 

technologies. Loans are also available for 

residential, commercial, and industrial 

energy-efficiency and conservation projects.

· Telecommunications Grants and Loans: 

Financing for utilities to construct, maintain, 

improve, and expand telecommunications 

service, including broadband in rural areas.

· Distance Learning and Telemedicine: Funds 

telecommunications equipment to provide 

educational and healthcare services for 

rural communities.

USDA Rural Development offers financial 

and technical assistance to increase 

economic opportunity and improve the 

quality of life in rural America. As the lead 

Federal agency for rural development 

needs, we help rural communities grow 

and prosper. We work with communities 

to build and improve:

· Housing

· Business start-up or expansion

· Cooperatives

· Job access

· Renewable energy systems

· Health clinics

· Essential community facilities

· Schools

· Water and wastewater systems

· Electric and telecommunications 

services

· Local foods systems

· And more

We partner with community leaders; 

developers; State, local and Tribal 

governments; private and nonprofit 

organizations; user-owned cooperatives; 

and a nationwide network of 

participating lenders to multiply local 

investments and target more resources 

to rural people and communities.