2016 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 3 

USDA Rural Development has been a leader in providing the investments to 

address rural America’s economic challenges. From housing to renewable 

energy, essential community facilities to high-speed broadband, water 

systems to electric lines with smart grid technology—RD has helped 

prepare rural America for the 21st Century economy. 

When I was sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture in January 2009, rural America was beginning to 

feel the devastating impact of the Great Recession. Rural counties were shedding 200,000 jobs per 

year, rural unemployment stood at nearly 10 percent, and poverty rates reached heights unseen in 

decades. Many rural communities were facing stagnant wages, outmigration, and a critical shortage of 

investment capital. 

Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has made targeted Federal investments in rural areas to create jobs, generate 

economic opportunity, and strengthen rural communities. This Progress Report outlines how USDA Rural Development (RD) has invested 

in rural America’s remarkable comeback. Key economic indicators continue to show that rural America is rebounding. Rural unemployment 

has continued to decline, dropping below 6 percent in 2015 for the first time since 2007, and rural poverty rates have fallen. Median 

household incomes in rural areas increased by 3.4 percent in 2015, and rural populations have stabilized and are beginning to grow. Child 

food insecurity nationwide is at an all-time low.

USDA RD has been a leader in providing the investments to address rural America’s economic challenges. From housing to renewable 

energy, essential community facilities to high-speed broadband, water systems to electric lines with smart grid technology—RD has helped 

prepare rural America for the 21st century economy.

Since 2009, RD has helped 1.2 million rural Americans buy, refinance, or repair their homes, and it has helped ensure safe, affordable rental 

housing for hundreds of thousands of seniors, people with disabilities, farmworkers, and other low-income rural families. Six million rural 

Americans now have access to high-speed broadband, thanks to RD. We’ve invested $12 billion in more than 10,530 essential community 

projects like schools, hospitals, public safety facilities, and community centers. More than 107,000 rural businesses have received loans or 

grants, creating more than 791,000 jobs. Our water program has funded $13.9 billion for nearly 5,825 projects, providing safe water to 

19.5 million rural residents.

RD is also responding to the heroin and prescription opioid crisis, making transitional housing available to rural Americans in recovery, 

funding telemedicine projects to improve access to treatment in remote areas, and supporting healthcare facilities, including mental 

healthcare centers. As an example, this report tells the story of how RD is helping the community of Harrington, DE, assist those in need of 

treatment begin the path to recovery.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication, innovation, and hard work of the men and women of USDA Rural 

Development. Together with our national office staff in Washington and St. Louis, our staff in RD offices across the country have been 

creative and effective partners with local lenders, community leaders, and small businesses. They are exemplary public servants who, in 

spite of workforce reductions, have been more productive in these past 8 years than at any time in the history of this Department. I am 

proud to serve with them.

The future of rural America looks much brighter today than when President Barack Obama took office. The results highlighted in this 

report demonstrate how long-term government investment and positive partnerships with public institutions are central to rural America’s 

continued progress.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary of Agriculture
4 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Rural America as a whole is seeing job and income growth for the first 

time since the Great Recession of 2008. We are also realizing a reverse in 

outmigration from rural areas and lower rates of poverty. 

Thriving rural communities contribute to the prosperity of our entire Nation, and throughout the last 

80 years, USDA Rural Development (RD) and its predecessor agencies have been committed to the 

success of rural America. 

This year’s Progress Report is an opportunity to share the great work that RD has done, and I am proud of 

our accomplishments. 

About 15 percent of the population—46 million people—are living in rural America. Rural America 

plays a key role in the national economy, producing food and other goods that are vital to the rest 

of the country. RD’s investments in infrastructure and agriculture help rural America grow, and that 

growth contributes to the prosperity of the entire Nation.

RD’s Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) have had many successes over 

the last year, and RD is committed to providing the financial support and technical expertise to help rural America thrive. This has been an 

historic year for Rural Development with record-breaking investments in our core programs in housing, utilities, and business. 

As we look back, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act, which brought power to the people of rural America. 

And looking forward to rural America’s next great infrastructure challenge, we also celebrated completing work on broadband projects 

funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects brought broadband access to nearly 6 million rural 

Americans’ homes, schools, and businesses. While we are proud of these efforts, we know that there is much more work to be done if we are 

to meet this challenge which is as critical to the 21st Century’s economy as electricity was to the 20th Century.

Thanks in part to the Recovery Act, Rural Development investments, and the hard work and resilience of her people, rural America as a whole 

is seeing job and income growth for the first time since the Great Recession of 2008. We are also realizing a reverse in outmigration from rural 

areas and lower rates of poverty. But too many rural communities have not yet fully shared in that recovery. There is more work to be done.

This year, building on place-based, economic development initiatives like StrikeForce and Promise Zones, we began a ground-breaking 

Community Facilities (CF) re-lending effort. In this innovative approach to economic development, we partnered with community-based 

financial organizations, private sector banks, and philanthropic organizations to make more than $400 million available for game-changing 

investments targeted to lift up America’s rural areas that have struggled to overcome persistent poverty. This long-term, low-interest rate 

financing will unlock rural communities’ economic potential. As we have seen from our CF direct loan program, which this year set an alltime record $2.2 billion in investments, improved rural communities’ education, healthcare, and public safety facilities serve as a catalyst 

for growth. These investments, like the $54.6 million loan to renovate the Fulton County Health Center in Wilmington, OH, not only provide 

critical access to life-saving medical care for rural residents, but they are also the hub around which a community can create jobs, attract 

homeowners, and build an economic future. 

Since 2009, RHS helped more than 1.2 million rural families buy, refinance, and maintain homes with more than $155 billion in investments. 

Thanks to our partners in the private sector, the RHS guaranteed loan program has helped more rural families realize the dream of home 

ownership than in any other period in the Agency’s history. In 2016, RHS had its best year yet for the single family housing direct mortgage 

program, leaving no dollar unused. During the last fiscal year alone, RHS provided more than $19 billion to help about 140,000 families with 

modest incomes buy, finance, or repair their homes, all with an enviably low default rate. 

RBS’s Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) also set records this year, providing rural businesses with guaranteed loan financing 

and grant funding for renewable energy systems and to make energy efficiency improvements for nearly 2,000 agricultural producers and 

rural small businesses. Encouraging energy independence for America’s small towns, using abundant, renewable natural resources, isn’t just 

fiscally sound, but it also helps communities do their part to ensure an environmentally secure future for our children. A recent $14 million 

REAP loan guarantee to North Carolina-based O2 Energies is now producing enough solar energy to power 20 percent of all the homes in 

Mt. Airy. The REAP loan guarantee provided to North Carolina’s Surrey Bank and Trust gave the bank the confidence to try something new 

that has benefitted the entire community, creating jobs and encouraging investment at a time when it was needed the most. 
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 5 

RUS’s Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) provided a record $1.65 billion in funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, 

sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage benefiting millions of rural Americans and their communities. 

Through the Rural Alaska Village Grant program (RAVG), we have been able to address third-world sanitation conditions in rural Alaska. 

One example is in Lower Kalskag, Alaska, where an RD RAVG investment is constructing water and wastewater treatment facilities, and 

connecting the residents of Lower Kalskag to the system. By 2017, this nearly century-old settlement will have indoor plumbing for the very 

first time.

Since 2009, USDA has invested over $1 billion in more than 40,000 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects. Between 

2009 and 2014, the number of Value-Added Producer Grants awarded to local food projects has also jumped by more than 500 percent. 

During the 2014-2015 funding cycle, USDA dedicated nearly $14 million, nearly half of the awarded funds, to 116 unique local food projects 

through this program. 

In addition, we launched a microloan program in 2013 that has since financed over 18,000 farmers and ranchers in all 50 States with smaller 

loans of up to $50,000. Seventy percent of these loans have gone to beginning farmers and many sell locally. 

This year, I joined community leaders and elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Sprout regional food hub and Growers 

and Makers Marketplace in Little Falls, MN. The food hub/market is bringing new sales opportunities for producers and increasing access 

to fresh, locally grown foods for customers, too. USDA Rural Development supported this regional initiative, and the planned food 

hub, through a $200,000 Rural Community Development Initiative grant. RD also provided the development commission with Rural 

Microenterprise Assistance Program funding that helped several area growers scale up production to meet the food hub demand. Today, 

70 local growers already are selling their fresh, locally grown produce at the Sprout location in Little Falls.

Finally, I am pleased to report that RD made important operational enhancements and streamlined how we do business and better serve 

the people of rural America. We made important investments in our people, with improved training programs and additional personnel 

after years of reductions in areas that are critical to carrying out our mission of serving rural America. We engaged the public and won 

support for a rule to integrate the Nation’s environmental law to secure that the projects we fund protect the environmental quality of 

the communities we serve. Our Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program expands opportunities for businesses and agricultural 

producers who provide fresh and local food for populations in rural and urban food deserts and expands eligibility for cooperatives with a 

cooperative stock purchase program. Our housing programs streamlined refinancing and reduced paperwork for homeowners and opened 

more opportunity to small, community banks and credit unions. We’ve improved our online functionality, from improving our website to 

making it easier to apply online for our programs. These improvements in how we do business will pay dividends down the road.

Growing up in rural Oregon, I learned that inspiration, innovation, hard work, and the promise of making a better life for our families and 

our communities are at the heart of rural America. You will find them in the men and women featured in this report. We’ve made great 

progress in fulfilling that promise this year and for years to come.

Sincerely,

Lisa Mensah

Rural Development Under Secretary
6 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development:

Partners To Strengthen Our Rural Communities

For 8 years, the Obama Administration has empowered USDA Rural Development to deepen 

our investments across rural America on behalf of working families, small business owners, 

and other rural residents. We work to renew rural small town America by improving housing; 

businesses and job opportunities; schools, libraries, hospitals, and other public spaces; and the 

rural utilities infrastructure—the electric, phone, broadband, water, and sewer service—that all 

combine to make rural communities great places to live.

Today, USDA Rural Development’s investment portfolio is almost 

$216 billion; roughly equal to that of the Nation’s 14th largest 

bank. But the real power behind the success of our loan, grant, 

and technical assistance programs is our partnerships with other 

people and providers. We have entered into partnerships at all 

levels—from ones in Washington, D.C., like the White House Rural 

Council, to ones with rural foundations and our lending partners, 

to grassroots projects between local USDA Rural Development 

employees and hometown nonprofits, real estate agents, and 

home builders. These relationships allow us to extend the reach 

of our programs, leverage Federal funds with other resources, and 

help more rural residents than ever before.

Together, we are building lasting, sustainable prosperity for rural 

people through hundreds of thousands of development projects 

underway across rural America. And our partners are helping 

USDA Rural Development succeed in some of our most important 

work: directing assistance to persistent-poverty communities.

Poverty is a pervasive issue in rural America. Most Americans 

are probably familiar with conditions across rural Appalachia, or 

with the economic, and social issues with which Native American 

communities continue to grapple. What’s less well known is 

that 85 percent of the Nation’s persistent-poverty counties are 

rural. Fortunately, under the leadership of President Obama and 

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, we have powerful tools in the 

fight to combat rural poverty and improve the quality of life for 

some of our most vulnerable rural citizens.

This report includes hundreds of examples of our partnerships 

transforming lives across rural America in 2016, including a 

wide array of critically needed projects in persistent-poverty 

communities. Leveraging our assistance with outside resources, we 

brought economic opportunity and better living to rural Americans. 

USDA Rural Development supported about 157,660 projects through 

more than $29.3 billion to help rural families, children, businesses, 

and small communities thrive.

Here’s a look at these partnerships and programs that address rural 

persistent poverty, and our results in FY 2016.

6 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

	Promise Zones

1,104 families in rural or tribal 

Promise Zones assisted through 

$371 million in investments

Addressing Rural Poverty

Fiscal Year 2016
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 7 

Promise Zones

President Obama’s Promise Zone Initiative is a government-wide 

effort bringing USDA together with 19 other Federal agencies 

to target assistance to urban, rural, and tribal high-poverty 

communities. USDA is the lead for the rural and tribal Promise 

Zones, and currently supports eight such designated communities. 

In just 2 years, USDA has delivered more than $410 million in 

Federal investments to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Pine 

Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and communities in 

southeastern Kentucky and South Carolina’s Low Country. In June 

2016, the White House and USDA announced four new rural and 

tribal Promise Zones, including designations for eastern Puerto 

Rico, southwest Florida, North Dakota’s Turtle Mountain Band of 

Chippewa Indians, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians in Washington 

State. This will allow USDA Rural Development to intensify 

partnering efforts and investments in the coming years in these 

regions and communities.

USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 7 

The power behind the success of our loan, grant, and technical assistance 

programs is our partnerships with other people and providers.

USDA Rural Development provided $25 million for a public water system in 

Oklahoma’s Ouachita Mountains which is providing safe, clean water to members 

of the Choctaw Nation and other residents. Pictured is a tribal member at a

ceremony celebrating the new water system.

	StrikeForce

More than $8.2 billion

for 30,785 awards in 

high-poverty rural counties

	Community Economic 

Development

$2.1 million in investments for 

multi-jurisdictional or regional 

development projects
8 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity

In 2010, USDA launched the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and 

Opportunity Initiative to target additional assistance to rural 

America’s most impoverished and remote communities. 

Under this initiative, we work in partnership with residents of 

targeted communities to ensure access to our broad array of 

economic programs. Through StrikeForce, in FY 2016, USDA 

Rural Development invested more than $8.2 billion to assist 

high-poverty rural counties, using intensive outreach and 

strong partnerships with community organizations, businesses, 

foundations, and universities. 

Additionally, in 2016, USDA expanded StrikeForce for a sixth time, 

announcing that additional counties in Florida, Missouri, Montana, 

and Ohio were eligible to receive intensive care through this 

initiative to fight persistent poverty.

Community Economic Development

Community Economic Development (CED), a new USDA Rural 

Development effort, works to combat rural poverty and deliver 

assistance to rural places most in need of help to jump-start or 

sustain economic development. Most communities assisted through 

CED are in persistent-poverty counties. In 2016, Rural Development 

identified 261 target CED rural communities and invested a total 

of $2.1 billion in these areas. CED also administers a new program, 

authorized under Section 6025 of the 2014 Farm Bill, to fund 

multi-jurisdictional or regional development project plans helping 

high-poverty rural communities gain access to Rural Development 

funding opportunities. In 2016, 114 applicants were given this 

“Regional Development Priority” consideration, and received a 

combined total of about $86 million in assistance.

8 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Community Facilities Re-Lending

In 2016, USDA Rural Development launched a new public/private 

partnership providing $400 million in low-interest loans to highpoverty rural communities through our Community Facilities 

program. The innovative approach with local and national 

partners, private-sector financial institutions, and philanthropic 

organizations provides another tool to help reduce poverty in 

some of the country’s poorest rural communities. Together we 

leverage funds to enable economically distressed rural places 

to build more essential community facilities like schools and 

healthcare centers. 

Community facilities projects are typically multi-million-dollar, 

long-term infrastructure projects. In the past, many communities 

in high-poverty areas found it difficult to obtain loans because 

applicants are required to contribute a percentage of the project 

funds to qualify. This new partnership establishes a grant pool 

supported by philanthropic investment. Together with new 

authorities enabling more community-based lenders like CDFIs 

to act as re-lenders, this brings new opportunities to our Nation’s 

poorest rural areas for affordable financing to build essential 

facilities in the places where residents need them the most.

CDFIs bring new opportunities to 

our nation’s poorest rural areas for 

affordable financing to build essential 

facilities in the places where residents 

need them the most.

	Community Facilities Re-Lending

New $24 million Uplift America fund; $100 million

in guarantees; and $400 million for CF re-lending

Addressing Rural Poverty

Fiscal Year 2016
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 9 

Investments Benefitting American Indians 

and Alaska Natives

In FY 2016, USDA Rural Development built upon its tradition of 

investing in tribal communities throughout Indian Country and 

Alaska. Rural Development invested more than $365 million 

through our housing, community facilities, utilities, business, and 

cooperative programs to support American Indians and Alaska 

Natives. Since 2009, the Obama Administration has invested more 

than $3.4 billion for tribal communities. 

In FY 2016, the Agency began new training opportunities and 

partnerships to ensure that Rural Development continues to 

improve as a lending partner. For example, the Agency provided 

intensive training to housing programs staff on how to more 

effectively provide homeownership and home repair programs 

on tribal lands. Rural Development also partnered with the Center 

for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank 

of Minneapolis, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and 

NeighborWorks® to host a gathering to improve homeownership 

opportunities on tribal lands. Rural Development is committed 

to doing more to support tribal community, economic, and 

infrastructure development.

Creating Efficiencies and 

Improving Customer Experiences

USDA Rural Development also has focused on streamlining 

internal operations and resources, improving technology, and 

making Rural Development more efficient. These efforts have 

both provided increased benefits to our external customers and 

partners and helped safeguard taxpayers’ funds. 

USDA Rural Development debuted its new “RD Apply” online 

application system for Rural Utilities Service customers. RD Apply 

reduces paperwork, eliminates bottlenecks, and saves time and 

money for communities applying for USDA utilities program 

loans and grants. RD Apply will be expanded to all USDA Rural 

Development programs in the future as part of continuing efforts 

to modernize the Agency’s information technology infrastructure.

Additionally, Rural Development implemented President 

Obama’s Executive Order allowing people with limited English 

proficiency to access information about Federal programs. 

Information about how USDA Rural Development programs 

work and how to apply for them is now available in multiple 

languages, and oral and written translations are available 

free of charge to the public. The Minority Serving Institutions 

programs provided more than $300,000 in 2016 to hire interns 

from higher education institutions and universities that serve 

minority student populations. We expanded outreach to inform 

minority-servicing institutions about our programs, services, and 

employment opportunities, and outreach to Asian Americans, 

Pacific Islanders, and other underserved groups like socially 

disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. 

Rural Development continued to support small, local 

businesses through our procurement programs. In FY 2016, 

Rural Development purchased about $42 million in goods and 

services from small businesses, including ones owned by women 

or veterans, disadvantaged businesses, and suppliers from 

historically underused business zones.

	Assistance to Tribal Nations

More than $365 million on behalf of 

American Indians and Alaska Natives
10 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Rural Development Programs FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $8,646,185,491 3,154 $1,044,112,539 369 $1,293,094,571 379 $10,983,392,601 3,902

IRP $140,051,476 281 $18,889,610 30 $18,888,486 31 $177,829,572 342

Renewable Energy $837,323,073 13,003 $258,748,518 2,675 $309,584,453 1,967 $1,405,656,044 17,645

Business Grants $237,663,032 3,403 $27,834,362 465 $27,924,417 496 $293,421,811 4,364

REDLG $317,236,081 533 $47,860,985 70 $53,542,704 94 $418,639,770 697

VAPG $99,645,571 762 $45,024,541 364 $45,887,556 329 $190,557,668 1,455

SFH Direct $7,260,581,952 61,170 $900,735,248 7,077 $960,134,044 7,113 $9,121,451,244 75,360

SFH Guaranteed $110,452,383,260 844,389 $18,623,238,191 134,254 $16,357,325,767 116,729 $145,432,947,218 1,095,372

SFH Repairs $301,789,937 52,592 $44,123,370 7,238 $48,066,414 8,172 $393,979,721 68,002

SFH Self-Help Grants $163,805,170 302 $32,226,125 74 $22,381,216 37 $218,412,511 413

MFH Direct $591,956,134 993 $134,402,756 176 $129,494,764 161 $855,853,654 1,330

MFH Guaranteed $587,219,238 419 $113,912,328 89 $186,935,103 119 $888,066,669 627

Farm Labor Housing $215,576,640 211 $25,766,716 17 $47,831,637 31 $289,174,993 259

Rental Assistance $5,686,546,891 55,832 $1,088,500,000 10,376 $1,389,694,997 12,643 $8,164,741,888 78,851

CF Direct $6,283,278,175 3,361 $1,676,048,368 530 $2,200,000,000 656 $10,159,326,543 4,547

CF Guaranteed $1,197,022,038 370 $135,455,969 25 $237,217,028 37 $1,569,695,035 432

CF Grants $353,261,943 6,876 $30,059,622 769 $45,634,941 1,145 $428,956,506 8,790

WWD Direct $7,438,488,659 4,330 $1,105,989,139 566 $1,203,999,301 617 $9,748,477,099 5,513

WWD Guaranteed $78,192,904 36 $14,673,500 8 $7,118,000 5 $99,984,404 49

WWD Grants $4,194,452,020 4,823 $517,825,144 860 $532,048,378 854 $5,244,325,542 6,537

Telecom $6,648,768,361 1,420 $280,977,675 102 $244,257,230 130 $7,174,003,266 1,652

Electric $31,027,049,827 862 $3,398,112,000 107 $3,915,750,000 91 $38,340,911,827 1,060

All Other Programs $1,556,558,239 1,903 $189,225,302 4,488 $88,849,248 5,828 $1,834,632,789 12,219

GRAND TOTAL $194,315,036,112 1,061,025 $29,753,742,009 170,729 $29,365,660,255 157,664 $253,434,438,376 1,389,418

Data tables in the report reflect funding levels for USDA Rural Development programs as of Sept. 30, the close of each respective fiscal year. 

These figures can be subject to change based on de-obligations or other adjustments that may occur after the close of the fiscal year. 

Rural Development Loan Portfolio as of September 30, 2016

LOAN PORTFOLIO # OF LOANS AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL OUTSTANDING

Direct Portfolio

Housing and Community Facilities

Single Family Housing 276,832 $15,158,175,920

Multi-Family Housing 24,088 $10,595,343,000

Community Facility 5,855 $6,308,789,090

Total Housing & Community Facilities 306,775 $32,062,308,010

Utilities

Water & Waste 15,855 $12,467,062,392

Electric 2,296 $41,790,907,601

Telecommunications 1,224 $4,166,205,008

Total Utilities 19,375 $58,424,175,001

Business and Cooperative

Business Programs 27 $11,861,000

RMAP 119 $31,510,931

Intermediary Relending Program 1,062 $392,674,000

Rural Economic Development 385 $189,057,488

Total Business & Cooperative 1,593 $625,103,419

Total Direct Portfolio 327,743 $91,111,586,430

Guaranteed Portfolio

Housing and Community Facilities

Single Family Housing 976,022 $116,340,991,082

Multi-Family Housing 808 $945,413,594

Community Facility 642 $1,216,602,246

Total Housing & Community Facilities 977,472 $118,503,006,922

Utilities

Water & Waste 84 $118,785,149

Electric/Other 15 $179,079,342

Total Utilities 99 $297,864,491

Business and Cooperative

Business Programs 3,044 $6,073,216,365

Total Business & Cooperative 3,044 $6,073,216,365

Total Guaranteed Portfolio 980,615 $124,874,087,778

Total Loan Portfolio 1,308,358 $215,985,674,208

10 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 11 

Key to Table Categories and Abbreviations

B&I Business and Industry Loan Guarantees1

IRP Intermediary Relending Program

Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Grants and Loans2

Business Grants Rural Business Development Grants

REDLG Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants

VAPG Value-Added Producer Grants

SFH Direct Single-Family Housing Direct Loans

SFH Guaranteed Single-Family Housing Loan Guarantees

SFH Repairs Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants

SFH Self-Help Single-Family Housing Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants

MFH Direct Multi-Family Rural Rental Housing Direct Loans

MFH Guaranteed Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees

Farm Labor Housing Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants

Rental Assistance Rental Assistance

CF Direct Community Facilities Direct Loans

CF Guaranteed Community Facilities Loan Guarantees

CF Grants Community Facilities Grants

WWD Direct Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans

WWD Guaranteed Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees

WWD Grants Water and Waste Disposal Grants

Telecom Telecom Loans and Grants3

Electric Electric Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees

Other Programs All other funding4

Supplemental Information

1 For all loan guarantee programs, Rural Development backs the loans, which are made by private-sector lenders 

that partner with USDA to participate in the programs.

2 Renewable energy awards include Rural Energy for America Program guaranteed loans and grants, Biorefinery, 

Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program loans, and payments made under 

the Repowering Assistance and Advanced Biofuels Programs.

3 Telecom includes Farm Bill broadband loans, Recovery Act broadband loans, Community Connect grants, Distance 

Learning and Telemedicine grants, Public Television Digital Transition grants, Telecommunications Infrastructure 

loans, and 911 access loans.

4 Other programs refers to smaller scale programs: RHS Rural Housing Site Loans, Housing Application Packaging, 

Individual Water and Waste, Technical and Supervisory Assistance, Housing Preservation Grants, Multi-Family 

Housing Preservation and Revitalization Loans and Grants, and Tenant Vouchers; RBS Rural Business Investment 

and Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Programs, Rural Cooperative Development, Delta Health Care Services, 

and Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants; and RUS Bulk Fuel, High Energy Cost Grant, Rural Alaska Village Grant, 

and Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Programs.

USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 11 
12 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Rural Housing Service: Creating Home for Families 

and Rural Community Organizations

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing 

and essential community facilities in rural areas. We offer loans, grants, and loan guarantees for single- and 

multi-family housing, child care centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, schools, 

first responder vehicles and equipment, housing for farmworkers, and much more. We also provide technical 

assistance loans and grants in partnership with nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, State and 

Federal government agencies, and local communities. We and our partners are working together to ensure that 

rural America continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Single-Family Housing Results

In FY 2016, RHS invested $17.3 billion to help more than 132,000 

families with modest incomes buy, refinance, or repair their homes 

through our direct and guaranteed single-family housing loan 

programs, including 33,900 low- and very low-income borrowers. 

Since 2009, RHS has invested $154.9 billion to support rural 

homeownership, helping more than 1.2 million rural families buy, 

refinance, and maintain their homes.

This year, USDA celebrated the many nonprofits, community 

organizations, real estate agents, lenders, and philanthropic 

partners that work with USDA to help people succeed at 

homeownership. During Homeownership Month, RHS held more 

than 250 events across the country that recognized these essential 

third-party partner organizations that make many of our programs 

possible year after year. 

This year was also the 25th anniversary of the Single-Family 

Housing Home Loan Guarantee Program. USDA has helped more 

than 1.5 million people buy homes through traditional lenders 

since the inception of the program. In 2016 alone, USDA helped 

about 116,720 people buy homes through this flagship program.

Christy Carr worked closely with USDA Rural Development to improve her credit. 

In 2016, she qualified for a USDA loan for a home to share with her five sons in 

Ohio. USDA photo by Lori McCoy.

Rural Housing Service

Fiscal Year 2016

12 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

	Single-Family Housing

Over 132,000 families served

Over $17.3 billion to build, repair, 

and refinance
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 13 

	Community Facilities

Over 13,590 million rural 

residents served $2.5 billion

to build, equip, and modernize

Multi-Family Housing Results

In FY 2016, RHS helped about 13,590 

families by building or renovating almost 

500 multi-family housing apartment 

complexes in rural areas through nearly 

$400 million in direct loans, guaranteed 

loans, and grants. Additionally, RHS 

provided $1.4 billion in 2015 for rental 

assistance to help 306,970 very-low- and 

low-income rural families pay their rent. 

Since 2009, RHS has invested $11.3 billion 

to offer rental housing opportunities 

to rural families, senior citizens, people 

with disabilities, and farm workers and 

their families.

In Calistoga, CA, the Calistoga Family 

Apartments opened its doors to 48 

farmworker families. Construction of 

the complex was partially funded by a 

$3 million Farm Labor Housing Program 

grant. This affordable farmworker housing 

development is tailored for the men and 

women who work in Napa Valley’s fields 

and their families. Rental assistance is also 

available to lower tenants’ monthly costs, 

ensuring their homes remain affordable.

This development is making a difference 

in the environment, too. One of the few 

Zero Net Energy farm labor housing 

complexes in the Nation, the complex is 

designed to meet Leadership in Energy 

and Environmental Design (LEED) 

Platinum standards, generating its own 

energy through solar panels. The payoff 

is utility bills averaging around 5 dollars a 

month for families living there. In droughtstricken California, water savings are 

equally important, and these apartments 

received WaterSense certification 

for the use of low-flow fixtures and 

drought-tolerant landscaping. There is 

a learning curve with all these features, 

so the property offers tenants ongoing 

education programs to help them take full 

advantage of the savings.

Community Facilities Results

In FY 2016, RHS served more than 

26.4 million rural residents through 

$2.5 billion in Community Facilities direct 

loans, guaranteed loans, and grants to 

develop essential community facilities 

such as hospitals, healthcare clinics, 

schools, police and fire stations, food 

banks, and community centers. Since the 

start of the Obama Administration in 2009, 

the Agency has improved the quality of 

life for rural residents by investing 

$12 billion in more than 10,530 community 

infrastructure projects.

This year, USDA Rural Development 

created the Community Facilities 

Re-lending option, which allows 

intermediary community-based lenders 

to receive Community Facility Program 

Direct Loans for the purpose of relending 

to build, acquire, renovate, or rehabilitate 

essential community facilities. Community 

Facilities awarded 26 organizations loans 

totaling more than $400 million to re-lend 

in areas of persistent poverty. 

This year, Tennessee Wesleyan University 

(TWU) received a $20.6 million USDA Rural 

Development Community Facilities Loan 

to construct a 30,000-square-foot student 

life building, improve other buildings 

on campus, renovate parking lots, and 

refinance a portion of the university’s 

debt. The student life building, which will 

be named “Colloms Campus Center,” will 

provide improved activity and event space, 

student services, and student affairs staff 

offices. Building improvements include 

roof replacement and Heating, Ventilation 

and Air Conditioning (HVAC) installation. 

More information about the benefits of 

this project is on page 60 of the report.

USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 13 

	Multi-Family Housing

Nearly 307,000 families

served $359.8 million to 

build, renew, and refinance
14 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

	Energy Assistance

Over 1,900 energy projects

supported $309 million for renewable 

energy and energy efficiency

Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural America’s 

Leader for Business and Job Growth Opportunities

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) offers assistance to support business 

development and job training opportunities for rural residents. Our programs provide the capital, technical 

support, educational opportunities, and entrepreneurial skills to give rural residents the boost they need to start 

and grow businesses or get jobs in new and emerging markets. RBS financial assistance over the past 8 years has 

helped more than 107,000 businesses and created or saved a total of nearly 791,000 jobs in rural America.

RBS is on the front line in the fight against rural poverty, helping rural 

businesses through loan and grant programs, supporting job creation, 

and assuming lead roles in place-based and poverty-targeting 

initiatives such as StrikeForce and Promise Zones. RBS directed about 

60 percent of our nearly $1.3 billion of investments in high poverty 

areas through these place-based efforts in 2016. RBS also conducted 

training sessions and webinars for community employees and leaders 

to arm them with tools to plan projects, compete for RBS funds, and 

leverage other capital options.

During Fiscal Years (FY) 2009-2016, RBS invested more than 

$11.5 billion in rural businesses through direct loan and loan 

guarantee programs, including $1.2 billion in FY 2016. Through our 

grant programs, RBS provided an additional $1 billion in support 

to rural businesses during that same period, with more than 

$84 million invested in FY 2016. 

Creating Jobs in Rural America

In 2016, RBS investments helped more than 7,000 businesses, 

creating or saving about 37,190 jobs across rural America. For 

example, RBS partnered with Girard National Bank to provide 

a Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan of $3.4 million 

to Manzer Family Medicine, LLC, in Galena, KS. Manzer Family 

Medicine serves a high-poverty, low-income area in Kansas. The 

firm will use the B&I Guaranteed Loan to acquire real estate, 

helping a rural healthcare provider maintain its clinic and urgent 

care facilities, and saving or creating a total of 25 jobs.

The Muskingum County Business Incubator, in Zanesville, OH, 

received an $85,000 Rural Business Development Grant to 

purchase equipment to automate its food manufacturing process. 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Fiscal Year 2016

With the help of the grant, the incubator was able to help seven 

businesses and create or save a total of 96 jobs across four counties 

in Ohio, including two StrikeForce counties.

Of the funds that RBS awarded in FY 2016, $320 million were 

delivered in StrikeForce counties supporting the creation of more 

than 10,000 jobs. Crawford Electric Cooperative received a 

$1 million Rural Economic Development Loan to help East Central 

College create a workforce development training facility on its 

campus in Union, MO. The facility will provide manufacturing job 

training to support workers and businesses in an eight-county 

region served by the college.

Investing in America’s Clean Energy Economy 

Through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), RBS helps 

farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners save money on their 

energy bills, cut carbon pollution, and convert to cleaner, more 

sustainable sources of energy. RBS’s REAP provides guaranteed 

loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and 

rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make 

energy efficiency improvements.

REAP is another tool that RBS is using to direct additional support 

to rural residents in economically distressed areas. For instance, 

in 2016, RBS approved a conditional commitment for a $5 million 

REAP Guaranteed Loan for Estil Solar II, LLC, in the South Carolina 

Low Country Promise Zone. Estil Solar will use the funds to assist 

Low Country farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop 

renewable energy systems or make energy-efficiency upgrades to 

their operations. 

14 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

	Business Assistance

Over 15,000 rural businesses

assisted $1.8 billion for business 

startup, expansion
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 15 

	Co-op Assistance

Over 380 ag projects supported 

$61 million to grow co-ops and 

other businesses in the agricultural, 

energy, and healthcare sectors

Elsewhere, USDA awarded the Shuqualak Lumber Company, in 

Noxubee, MS, with a $54,000 REAP grant to support lighting 

upgrades from high-intensity discharge to Light Emitting Diode 

(LED) lighting. The project is expected to reduce the lumber mill’s 

energy expenditure by over 894,000 kilowatt hours per year and 

save the company about $75,000 annually. The mill is located in 

Noxubee County, one of the persistent-poverty counties receiving 

intensive care from USDA though the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and 

Opportunity Initiative.

Providing Support to Cooperatives

Cooperatives are key to the vitality of rural economies. They offer 

an alternative business model for those looking to organize and 

improve their communities, particularly in remote rural areas. RBS 

has trained more than 1,000 stakeholder groups—including many 

minority producers and minority-owned businesses—on food 

system issues, business development, governance/leadership, and 

financial management. RBS invests in cooperatives through the 

Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program.

USDA awarded Texas Rural Cooperative Center (TRCC) with an RCDG 

of almost $199,400 to provide training and technical assistance to 

cooperatives across south Texas and New Mexico. TRCC serves 

33 counties—25 of which are StrikeForce counties with the greatest 

number of impoverished rural Colonias in the Nation. With the 

help of the RCDG grant, TRCC will help 23 businesses, including 

10 cooperatives, and create or save a total of 65 jobs.

RBS’s Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program supports 

agriculture producers and cooperative businesses. Grass Roots 

Farmers’ Cooperative in Clinton, AR, received a VAPG of about 

$239,370 to help the co-op increase its processing capacity and build 

profitable markets for small-holder farms. The USDA investment 

will support Grass Roots in its efforts to provide opportunities for 

socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers.

Central City, NE, has a “solar garden,” the first solar-powered community garden in 

the State. USDA provided Rural Energy for America Program grants to 

help purchase the solar array. This innovative system produces enough energy to 

power 24 homes per year. Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator 

Sam Rikkers (far left) visited the solar garden in August 2016.

USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 15 

Cross Agency Collaboration and 

Multi-Jurisdictional Planning

By coordinating programs, we can promote collaboration at the 

regional level among Federal, State, local, and regional entities 

and promote more effective use of funds in a fiscally constrained 

environment. Coordinated investment can also encourage 

investment from private sources, increasing the resources available 

for development. For instance, through the Promise Zone Initiative, 

USDA collaborates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development (HUD) and 18 other Federal agencies to provide 

resources and expertise to high-poverty communities. 

Today, RBS partners with eight rural and tribal Promise Zones 

and has delivered over $410 million in Federal investments to the 

Choctaw Nation, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Southeastern 

Kentucky and South Carolina Low Country in just 2 years. 

Since being named a tribal Promise Zone in 2014, Choctaw 

Nation has secured close to $100 million in Federal investments. 

These funds have supported a new Community Center, a Food 

Distribution Center, and a Head Start program. The Choctaw 

Nation also initiated a far-reaching effort to promote sustainable 

agriculture and food sovereignty. 

In FY 2016, RBS led the coordination, planning, and 

implementation of section 6025 of the Agricultural Act of 2014: 

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD). 

This program emphasizes multi-jurisdictional projects. A 

number of RBS programs also include set-asides for StrikeForce

counties, Promise Zones, and other high-poverty areas. In 2016, 

approximately $316 million was dedicated to SECD projects from 

USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities, Water and Waste 

Disposal, RBDG, and B&I Guaranteed Loan programs.

RBS Program Results

In FY 2016, RBS helped more than 15,000 rural businesses through 

$1.8 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and grants. RBS has a 

proven track record of assisting America’s rural businesses by 

increasing and improving access to training, technical, assistance, 

and capital. We also boost long-term competitiveness by helping 

ensure that small business owners and entrepreneurs can 

take advantage of new opportunities and new markets as the 

economy grows. Together with its partners, RBS is making a real, 

lasting impact on rural America.

	Local Foods Assistance

Over 350 producers, others 

assisted $112 million for 

local and regional food systems
16 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Rural Utilities Service: Partnering With Utility 

Providers To Build Infrastructure and Community

Electric Programs

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides 

capital for rural energy efficiency projects that help conserve 

energy, save money on energy bills, and boost local rural 

economies. The high costs of energy-saving improvements 

often prevent business and residential utility customers from 

installing them. RUS offers two programs that help make such 

improvements more affordable. In June 2016, RUS announced 

the availability of up to $52 million in loans through its new Rural 

Energy Savings Program (RESP). RESP helps rural energy providers 

fund energy efficiency improvements for residential and business 

customers. RESP borrowers finance loans at zero percent interest 

for up to 20 years. Their customers repay the loans at an interest 

rate of up to 3 percent for up to 10 years through their electric bills.

RUS also administers a similar Energy Efficiency and Conservation 

Loan Program (EECLP) that started in 2014. EECLP helps consumers 

reduce energy bills through energy efficiency improvements and 

renewable energy systems.

In 2016, RUS approved a $68 million EECLP loan to Pedernales 

Electric Cooperative to make low-interest financing available to 

consumers for investments in efficiency and renewable energy, 

including installation of smart meters, solar panels, and battery 

storage systems. Smart grid technologies and demand side 

management investments, including vehicle charging stations, 

will be available for small municipal distribution utilities.

Rural Utilities Service

Fiscal Year 2016

North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric Cooperative, one of the first utilities to receive 

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program financing, used a $6 million loan 

to launch its “Upgrade to Save” energy efficiency program in 2014. Here a local 

technician in Roanoke is installing insulation in the attic for one of the electric 

co-op’s residential customers.

16 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

The high costs of energy-saving 

improvements often prevent business 

and residential utility customers 

from installing them. RUS offers 

two programs that help make such 

improvements more affordable.

	Electric Utilities

Over 5.47 million rural customers served

$3.9 billion for utility system upgrades, 

improvements
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 17 

	Telecommunications Facilities

Over 79,000 rural subscribers served

$234 million for telecommunications and 

broadband service

	Water and Waste 

Disposal Systems

Over 2.24 million rural residents

served $1.65 billion for safe water 

and sanitary waste systems

Telecommunications Programs

Each year, RUS’s Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine (DLT) Program helps more 

rural communities improve their access to 

healthcare and educational services. Since 

2009, RUS has provided $240 million for 

more than 730 DLT projects in rural areas.

DLT-funded equipment for educational 

opportunities and medical care provides 

services often unavailable in rural areas, 

helping communities better meet the 

needs of their residents. Telemedicine 

is an effective tool for treating patients 

when experts are not available locally, and 

distance learning brings opportunities 

that were not previously available to 

rural students. Rural residents across the 

country benefit from this new technology, 

made available by RUS assistance. In 

2016, USDA led the Federal interagency 

effort to address the opioid crisis, which is 

especially serious in rural areas. Increased 

access to healthcare and substance misuse 

treatment was a significant focus of the 

latest 81 DLT projects helping connect 

rural communities with offsite medical 

and educational experts.

For example, the Southern Hills 

Counseling Center in Jasper, IN, is using a 

$73,000 grant for a telemedicine system 

to improve the availability of mental 

health services in several remote Indiana 

counties. The network will give rural 

healthcare professionals the ability to 

connect in real-time with urban mental 

health specialists. Additionally, the 

counseling center will be able to connect 

to rural hospitals for psychiatric diagnoses 

and to support emergency care. 

DLT projects rely on broadband service, 

which is still lacking in almost 40 percent 

of rural areas. To help spur the deployment 

of rural broadband, employees of RUS 

and the U.S. Commerce Department’s 

National Telecommunications Information 

Administration (NTIA) serve as co-chairs 

of the Broadband Opportunities Council 

(BOC), set up in 2015, which includes 

25 Federal Agencies and Departments.

Water and 

Environmental Programs

Without RUS’s Water and Environmental 

programs (WEP), many small rural 

communities nationwide would lack access 

to safe water. Since 2009, WEP has funded 

$13.9 billion for nearly 5,825 projects, 

providing safe water to 19.5 million 

rural residents. 

WEP is also meeting USDA Rural Development’s 

mission to assist underserved and 

economically challenged communities by 

working to increase the number of Special 

Evaluative Assistance Rural Communities 

and Households (SEARCH) grants awarded 

to underserved and high poverty areas, many 

of which have high minority populations.

SEARCH grants of up to $30,000 fund 

pre-development feasibility studies, design 

assistance, and technical assistance to help 

small, financially distressed communities 

in rural areas. This assistance enables them 

to develop plans and funding applications 

for proposed water and waste disposal 

projects. The grants are available to 

communities with populations of 2,500 

or fewer. In the last 5 years, WEP has 

invested $10.5 million in SEARCH grants, 

and $3.4 million in pre-planning grants for 

rural communities.

To date, 68 SEARCH grants in 26 States 

have resulted in fully obligated projects 

to improve water and waste disposal 

treatments systems, delivering muchneeded services to our most vulnerable 

rural communities. In all, during Fiscal 

Year 2016, USDA funded 932 projects. 

Approximately 84 percent of the loan 

and grant dollars awarded in FY 2016 are 

bringing services to communities with 

populations less than 5,000.
18 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

State-by-State Results

Alabama

Business and Local Foods Programs

National Guard Armory Reborn 

As Business Incubator 

The National Guard Armory in Linden, AL, was a local icon for 

25 years. But the National Guard Armory announced plans to close 

the Linden armory in 2012.

The armory could have become a vacant eyesore in this small 

rural community, but community leaders and elected officials 

developed a plan to save it by converting it into a small business 

incubator. Today, thanks to a partnership between community 

leaders, elected officials, local businesses, and government 

agencies, the armory has been reborn as the Marengo County 

Business Development Center. It includes a small business 

incubator, a community auditorium, office space, and an agribusiness incubator supporting local foods projects.

Marengo County is a persistent-poverty area receiving targeted 

assistance from USDA under the StrikeForce for Rural Growth 

and Opportunity Initiative. USDA Rural Development in Alabama 

provided the Marengo County Economic Development Authority 

(MCEDA) with a $40,000 Rural Business Development Grant for 

commercial food processing and cold storage equipment. Deep 

South Food Alliance—part of the agri-business incubator—provides 

technical assistance and makes the equipment available to 

small, family farmers to process and package their locally grown 

produce. The added value is helping these growers boost retail 

sales. MCEDA, USDA, and other partners also helped neighboring 

rural community, Thomaston, AL, open a local grocery store. 

Thomaston had been a “food desert” without a local grocery for 

almost 20 years.

Businesses at the new center are also increasing job opportunities 

for local residents. MCEDA and Marengo County Extension Service 

(both headquartered at the center), provide technical assistance 

to business incubator clients. Alabama Southern Community 

College uses the center as a third site for its Alabama Industrial 

Development Training Ready-to-Work Program.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $171,187,634 53 $27,160,100 7 $18,596,800 5 $216,944,534 65

IRP $1,171,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,171,000 4

Renewable Energy $3,420,126 72 $1,905,139 59 $1,033,613 46 $6,358,878 177

Business Grants $5,057,423 57 $703,000 9 $766,000 11 $6,526,423 77

REDLG $4,640,000 11 $0 0 $1,300,000 2 $5,940,000 13

VAPG $559,773 6 $664,000 4 $542,000 3 $1,765,773 13

SFH Direct $123,836,493 1,154 $17,752,898 156 $17,460,193 155 $159,049,584 1,465

SFH Guaranteed $2,663,551,241 21,899 $447,382,138 3,672 $420,392,031 3,311 $3,531,325,410 28,882

SFH Repairs $9,873,835 1,629 $1,826,123 277 $1,042,141 177 $12,742,099 2,083

SFH Self-Help Grants $333,916 1 $0 0 $333,916 1 $667,832 2

MFH Direct $8,885,932 10 $4,528,388 7 $0 0 $13,414,320 17

MFH Guaranteed $2,493,000 4 $1,729,000 1 $897,000 2 $5,119,000 7

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $158,206,432 1,720 $29,314,560 316 $36,952,709 400 $224,473,701 2,436

CF Direct $27,538,432 60 $23,479,100 15 $56,572,300 14 $107,589,832 89

CF Guaranteed $9,360,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $9,360,000 1

CF Grants $4,522,613 76 $534,334 20 $860,438 24 $5,917,385 120

WWD Direct $116,590,087 87 $8,166,850 7 $14,538,000 12 $139,294,937 106

WWD Guaranteed $1,260,630 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,260,630 1

WWD Grants $65,660,623 61 $7,529,580 15 $9,306,500 23 $82,496,703 99

Telecom $60,383,255 19 $1,267,197 3 $454,701 2 $62,105,153 24

Electric $351,959,000 11 $115,884,000 1 $111,161,000 3 $579,004,000 15

All Other Programs $91,699,731 32 $393,572 35 $627,089 40 $92,720,392 107

ALABAMA TOTAL $3,882,191,176 26,968 $690,219,978 4,604 $692,836,431 4,231 $5,265,247,586 35,803

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with local farmers at the agri-business 

incubator. Here, a grower shows him some of their locally grown produce 

prepared and packaged for sale.

Alabama Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 19 

Alaska

Business Programs

Improving Access to Remote Alaskan Villages

Alaska is vast. Thousands of residents live in sparsely populated 

communities only accessible by air or water. In northwestern 

Alaska, dozens of Alaska Native villages rely on air transportation 

for commerce. Bering Air, Inc., provides access to 32 communities 

in western Alaska from the company’s hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, 

and Unalakleet—some of the most remote and economically 

challenged areas of the State.

Partnering with Alaska Growth Capital, Bering Air used a $10.5 

million USDA Business & Industry Loan Guarantee to purchase 

six new Cessna Caravan aircraft. The planes have increased 

horsepower for shorter take-offs, faster climbs, and higher cruising 

speeds. They also provide for an increased payload capacity and 

state-of-the-art avionics systems.

Ensuring access to fresh food, medical services, equipment, and 

supplies, and the ability to move between rural communities and 

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $83,315,166 56 $24,502,677 13 $19,429,990 7 $127,247,833 76

IRP $1,350,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,350,000 3

Renewable Energy $1,678,506 82 $730,209 14 $377,926 6 $2,786,640 102

Business Grants $3,840,307 37 $417,552 4 $138,000 3 $4,395,859 44

REDLG $300,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $300,000 1

VAPG $272,538 3 $48,150 1 $0 0 $320,688 4

SFH Direct $73,877,661 422 $11,384,806 58 $20,032,055 93 $105,294,522 573

SFH Guaranteed $393,606,054 2,026 $102,667,747 460 $92,523,399 406 $588,797,200 2,892

SFH Repairs $889,872 113 $260,950 34 $228,261 34 $1,379,083 181

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,529,822 5 $53,690 1 $476,000 1 $3,059,512 7

MFH Direct $2,950,000 1 $0 0 $575,000 1 $3,525,000 2

MFH Guaranteed $10,450,000 7 $0 0 $1,400,000 1 $11,850,000 8

Farm Labor Housing $93,602 1 $0 0 $0 0 $93,602 1

Rental Assistance $30,731,616 146 $5,182,548 27 $6,349,455 35 $42,263,619 208

CF Direct $86,611,200 20 $176,393,000 21 $425,500 1 $263,429,700 42

CF Guaranteed $10,200,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $10,200,000 3

CF Grants $5,826,470 62 $124,900 3 $398,700 7 $6,350,070 72

WWD Direct $1,716,000 2 $339,000 3 $1,727,101 5 $3,782,101 10

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $227,764,635 200 $26,352,006 34 $37,214,444 41 $291,331,085 275

Telecom $149,408,539 40 $3,756,743 7 $1,430,576 4 $154,595,858 51

Electric $432,351,000 7 $0 0 $16,462,000 1 $448,813,000 8

All Other Programs $47,113,928 31 $4,752,716 9 $4,248,828 11 $56,115,472 51

ALASKA TOTAL $1,566,876,916 3,268 $356,966,694 689 $203,437,235 657 $2,127,280,844 4,614

urbanized areas like Fairbanks and Anchorage, Bering Air provides 

a valuable service, one that is considered critical for the continued 

survival of these remote Native Alaskan villages. Help for local 

enterprises like Bering Air, which meet the unique needs of rural 

places, is a shining example of how USDA Rural Development is 

committed to the future of rural communities.

A USDA Rural Development loan guarantee helped Bering Air buy six new 

Cessna planes to continue transporting people and goods to and from 

remote Native villages in western Alaska. Photo courtesy Textron Aviation.

Alaska Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
20 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Arizona

Water and Environmental Programs

Safe Water for Remote Communities 

on the Navajo Nation

It’s said that no one pays attention to water until the well is dry. 

Native American tribes have been paying attention for quite some 

time now.

On the Navajo Nation, America’s largest reservation, access to 

clean water has been an ongoing struggle. Nearly 40 percent of 

all Navajo people in this Arizona high desert region live without 

running water. Hauling water is not only time-consuming but 

also tedious work, especially for the elderly in remote areas. On 

average, tribal members that live on the Navajo reservation use 

7 gallons per person per day to drink, cook, bathe, and clean. The 

average American uses about 100 gallons.

USDA Rural Development is partnering with Navajo Nation tribal 

leaders to mitigate these water quantity and quality issues. To 

date, USDA has invested nearly $14 million to improve the tribe’s 

water and waste treatment systems over the past 4 years. Of 

this amount, $8 million was provided as grants—an important 

consideration given that 43 percent of Navajo people live below 

the poverty line. 

Recently, USDA Rural Development officials in Arizona traveled to 

Lower Greasewood on the Navajo Nation to announce $5.72 million 

in loans and grants to upgrade the water systems for Ganado, 

Lower Greasewood, and Dilkon—remote communities on the 

Navajo Nation. The original systems were built during the 1970s 

and 1980s, and the harsh conditions have taken a toll on them. 

Many of the wells were taken out of service due to water quality 

issues, including high arsenic concentrations.

The project, a partnership between USDA Rural Development 

and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will replace failing 

pipes and infrastructure, drill new wells, and construct a new 

treatment facility.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $128,138,698 49 $29,563,000 6 $25,695,000 8 $183,396,698 63

IRP $488,000 2 $415,000 1 $0 0 $903,000 3

Renewable Energy $6,721,388 78 $6,191,939 17 $1,513,105 12 $14,426,432 107

Business Grants $3,606,502 42 $890,950 9 $1,047,701 12 $5,545,153 63

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $248,706 3 $546,594 4 $841,158 5 $1,636,458 12

SFH Direct $105,291,939 990 $16,290,960 135 $15,392,665 122 $136,975,564 1,247

SFH Guaranteed $2,286,239,223 17,382 $278,000,028 1,883 $219,205,022 1,450 $2,783,444,273 20,715

SFH Repairs $4,653,919 681 $639,270 105 $638,209 100 $5,931,399 886

SFH Self-Help Grants $10,380,813 17 $1,823,549 4 $2,013,493 3 $14,217,855 24

MFH Direct $2,961,922 7 $0 0 $50,000 1 $3,011,922 8

MFH Guaranteed $6,615,371 8 $2,400,000 2 $3,265,000 2 $12,280,371 12

Farm Labor Housing $726,911 3 $0 0 $0 0 $726,911 3

Rental Assistance $80,369,796 545 $16,502,496 104 $18,802,452 123 $115,674,744 772

CF Direct $70,435,907 26 $26,401,000 5 $17,999,100 4 $114,836,007 35

CF Guaranteed $26,840,296 9 $0 0 $0 0 $26,840,296 9

CF Grants $2,894,142 42 $133,400 3 $377,000 4 $3,404,542 49

WWD Direct $36,538,436 17 $2,005,000 1 $3,604,000 3 $42,147,436 21

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $94,852,907 277 $8,081,435 51 $12,076,892 19 $115,011,234 347

Telecom $46,422,167 25 $0 0 $205,052 1 $46,627,219 26

Electric $488,204,742 9 $0 0 $39,135,000 2 $527,339,742 11

All Other Programs $3,601,210 21 $456,234 31 $843,102 31 $4,900,546 83

ARIZONA TOTAL $3,406,232,995 20,233 $390,340,855 2,361 $362,703,952 1,902 $4,159,277,802 24,496

A tree struggles to survive outside an abandoned trading post bearing 

a prophetic message near St. Michaels on the Navajo Nation.

Arizona Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 21 

Arkansas

Energy Programs

USDA and Partners Help Launch 

Arkansas’s Largest Solar Farm 

Ironically, it was cloudy and a little rainy on the day the switch 

was to be turned on. But now the sun is shining on the largest 

solar farm ever built in Arkansas: a $32 million, 12 MW (megawatt) 

solar array sited on 100 acres in the Camden, AR, Highland 

Industrial Park.

USDA Rural Development provided a $500,000 Rural Energy 

for America Program grant for the solar farm, which was also 

financed through Federal and State tax credits and other private 

funding sources. Silicon Ranch Corporation developed the project 

in partnership with Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation, 

Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation, and Southern Arkansas 

University Tech. The zero-emission solar project was developed to 

provide clean energy to aerospace and defense company Aerojet 

Rocketdyne, which has facilities in the industrial park. Any excess 

power generated that Aerojet Rocketdyne doesn’t need is used by 

Arkansas Electric Co-op for its customers.

More than 150,000 solar panels soak up the sun’s rays and 

feed energy into the electric utility substation next to the solar 

farm. The clean energy is helping Aerojet Rocketdyne meet its 

sustainability goals, and helping Arkansas Electric Co-op meet its 

carbon reduction targets. The energy produced by this solar farm 

is equivalent to powering about 2,400 homes for an entire year.

This innovative project has received national recognition. 

Novogradac & Company, LLP, honored it with a Renewable Energy 

Power Award for Financial Innovation because of the positive 

financial impact the project made on Camden, a small rural, 

underserved community. The project is a stepping stone for future 

solar investments in Arkansas.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $124,451,907 36 $9,217,000 3 $2,499,000 2 $136,167,907 41

IRP $1,344,000 4 $0 0 $1,349,484 2 $2,693,484 6

Renewable Energy $8,330,880 186 $762,710 18 $820,690 21 $9,914,280 225

Business Grants $4,307,703 39 $461,760 8 $486,000 6 $5,255,463 53

REDLG $500,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $500,000 1

VAPG $313,000 5 $249,488 2 $513,369 3 $1,075,857 10

SFH Direct $149,254,981 1,579 $13,619,394 129 $14,642,974 141 $177,517,349 1,849

SFH Guaranteed $2,622,216,869 24,239 $366,935,387 3,297 $372,971,329 3,268 $3,362,123,585 30,804

SFH Repairs $7,323,022 1,279 $717,396 124 $911,855 147 $8,952,273 1,550

SFH Self-Help Grants $8,159,682 26 $677,576 3 $1,139,669 2 $9,976,927 31

MFH Direct $3,043,805 3 $0 0 $857,085 1 $3,900,890 4

MFH Guaranteed $3,845,391 3 $0 0 $2,251,000 2 $6,096,391 5

Farm Labor Housing $3,885,000 43 $328,000 2 $359,000 3 $4,572,000 48

Rental Assistance $117,596,824 1,378 $22,209,936 266 $26,658,765 320 $166,465,525 1,964

CF Direct $82,653,000 39 $0 0 $46,585,000 9 $129,238,000 48

CF Guaranteed $4,000,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $4,000,000 3

CF Grants $14,996,739 372 $1,310,069 39 $1,515,700 45 $17,822,508 456

WWD Direct $154,542,100 154 $20,548,000 18 $23,125,700 18 $198,215,800 190

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $107,123,177 128 $9,982,000 19 $9,812,100 17 $126,917,277 164

Telecom $279,772,555 45 $25,744,925 3 $10,254,641 7 $315,772,121 55

Electric $1,657,060,000 29 $147,590,000 4 $21,692,000 1 $1,826,342,000 34

All Other Programs $1,811,245 26 $2,264,743 28 $207,110 32 $4,283,098 86

ARKANSAS TOTAL $5,356,531,880 29,617 $622,618,384 3,963 $538,652,471 4,047 $6,517,802,735 37,627

Arkansas’s largest solar farm is providing power to a technology company in 

the same Camden, AR, industrial park where it is located. Surplus power is also 

helping meet other residential customers’ electricity needs.

Arkansas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
22 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

California

Community Programs

Food for the Less Fortunate 

in Rural Southern California

California’s Coachella Valley may conjure images of music festivals, 

resort hotels, and famous golf courses, but there’s another side to the 

region. Amidst the luxury of wealthy communities like Indian Wells 

and Rancho Mirage, USDA Rural Development focuses its efforts to 

address the poverty of small communities like Thermal and Mecca. 

Even with the poverty, there’s a beacon of light shining bright in Mecca, 

and it’s known as the Galilee Center. Led by Gloria Gomez and Claudia 

Castorena, Galilee Center works to improve the lives of farmworkers 

and other low-income families living throughout the eastern Coachella 

Valley by providing food, clothing, and other basic needs.

“Our beginnings are humble,” explained Castorena. “We started in 

the summer of 2010 offering food baskets to local families under 

the shade of a tree. We expected about 40 families, but instead 100 

arrived. We didn’t have an office; we didn’t have anything, but every 

Thursday for 2 years, we showed up to provide food to families.”

In 2012, a 21,000-square-foot building in downtown Mecca was 

donated to the organization. Although spacious, it needed major 

improvements to be useable. With support from the County of 

Riverside, countless private donors, and a $246,000 by USDA Rural 

Development’s Community Facilities program, the Galilee Center 

has spent the past 4 years transforming their vacant building into 

an oasis of hope for thousands.

Galilee Center not only has a thriving food distribution program 

providing food baskets to an average of 300 people a week, but 

expanded services as well. Galilee Center is now home to a thrift 

store, a community room with computers that also serves as a 

cooling center during the hot summer, and a comfort center that 

provides showers and low-cost laundry facilities. Additionally, 

Galilee now offers utility and rental assistance, childcare assistance 

ranging from diapers and formula to new shoes and backpacks, 

and help for seniors.

“The Galilee Center is blessed to be able to serve families in need 

with kindness and respect,” said Gomez. “And both Claudia and I 

are so thankful to USDA Rural Development for their help making 

that possible.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $518,959,315 232 $29,727,545 13 $35,379,000 14 $584,065,860 259

IRP $9,860,000 20 $1,000,000 1 $1,500,000 3 $12,360,000 24

Renewable Energy $16,339,730 330 $7,085,243 102 $7,207,452 85 $30,632,424 517

Business Grants $9,364,447 110 $1,113,000 16 $720,756 19 $11,198,203 145

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $400,000 1 $400,000 1

VAPG $6,233,281 39 $2,344,494 17 $1,955,359 16 $10,533,134 72

SFH Direct $462,326,723 2,994 $100,559,697 569 $108,860,593 578 $671,747,013 4,141

SFH Guaranteed $4,227,484,113 24,552 $562,996,706 2,965 $406,202,493 2,086 $5,196,683,312 29,603

SFH Repairs $2,533,287 363 $518,024 73 $944,607 127 $3,995,919 563

SFH Self-Help Grants $36,846,387 28 $8,536,979 5 $330,000 1 $45,713,366 34

MFH Direct $15,836,439 19 $4,147,500 1 $2,100,000 1 $22,083,939 21

MFH Guaranteed $205,050,119 130 $35,265,246 22 $29,552,357 17 $269,867,722 169

Farm Labor Housing $89,273,448 43 $16,612,892 8 $27,400,000 13 $133,286,340 64

Rental Assistance $410,438,429 2,024 $91,089,279 381 $108,921,429 470 $610,449,137 2,875

CF Direct $146,762,153 68 $74,036,150 15 $82,076,000 12 $302,874,303 95

CF Guaranteed $9,891,255 12 $0 0 $0 0 $9,891,255 12

CF Grants $14,997,954 283 $1,586,577 27 $2,595,165 49 $19,179,696 359

WWD Direct $296,963,972 96 $15,297,742 8 $8,183,000 6 $320,444,714 110

WWD Guaranteed $346,100 1 $0 0 $0 0 $346,100 1

WWD Grants $110,327,624 156 $22,098,610 40 $15,499,504 23 $147,925,738 219

Telecom $46,165,804 27 $462,894 2 $2,070,825 7 $48,699,523 36

Electric $86,960,000 4 $0 0 $23,826,000 1 $110,786,000 5

All Other Programs $35,114,598 117 $7,169,985 27 $5,406,945 21 $47,691,527 165

CALIFORNIA TOTAL $6,758,075,178 31,648 $981,648,563 4,292 $871,131,484 3,550 $8,610,855,225 39,490

Violeta Lopez receives fresh food from Claudia Castorena at the 

Galilee Center’s weekly food distribution pick-up.

California Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 23 

Colorado

Community Programs

Centennial Mental Health 

Is Moving Lives Forward

According to a government mental health study, in 2014, two-thirds 

of Colorado teens dealing with clinical depression had gone 

untreated for the previous 12 months. Executives at the Centennial 

Mental Health Center recognized their Fort Morgan, CO, facility 

was unable to support the increasing need for client services. 

Centennial, which serves a 10-county rural area in northeastern 

Colorado, approached USDA Rural Development to find a longterm solution to the increasing patient load.

Working with USDA Rural Development, Centennial Mental Health 

Center secured a $4.2 million Community Facilities loan to finance 

the bulk of their new 17,655-square-foot care facility in Fort 

Morgan. Using USDA funds along with locally raised donations 

and philanthropic gifts for construction of the nearly $6 million 

project, the new facility includes 33 clinical provider offices, 

group/conference rooms, administrative and support staff offices, 

reception offices and waiting rooms, testing rooms, examination 

and consult rooms, a video conference/telehealth room, and 

much-needed storage. The expanded location allows Centennial 

to better focus on its mission of providing the highest quality 

comprehensive mental health services while preserving human 

dignity, self-respect, and client rights. The new building will 

also allow room for future growth to accommodate the growing 

demand for services in that area. 

Strategically located near a primary care medical facility, 

Centennial’s Fort Morgan office integrates behavioral and physical 

health care in order to improve the overall quality of, and access to, 

rural health care.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $112,623,304 40 $1,771,100 2 $37,691,289 11 $152,085,693 53

IRP $2,798,296 7 $1,000,000 1 $950,000 2 $4,748,296 10

Renewable Energy $3,762,705 96 $794,364 28 $551,394 21 $5,108,463 145

Business Grants $2,446,360 52 $246,000 8 $268,849 9 $2,961,209 69

REDLG $2,610,000 5 $0 0 $600,000 2 $3,210,000 7

VAPG $1,629,714 14 $0 0 $223,150 4 $1,852,864 18

SFH Direct $116,853,956 833 $19,777,103 130 $13,566,235 85 $150,197,294 1,048

SFH Guaranteed $1,554,039,091 8,884 $306,930,684 1,597 $231,460,715 1,175 $2,092,430,490 11,656

SFH Repairs $1,825,219 270 $260,295 31 $125,418 17 $2,210,932 318

SFH Self-Help Grants $4,171,750 8 $1,115,880 3 $600,000 1 $5,887,630 12

MFH Direct $3,163,799 5 $0 0 $1,062,500 1 $4,226,299 6

MFH Guaranteed $2,004,874 2 $0 0 $0 0 $2,004,874 2

Farm Labor Housing $8,424,076 6 $0 0 $0 0 $8,424,076 6

Rental Assistance $65,160,432 592 $11,963,200 111 $15,425,627 127 $92,549,259 830

CF Direct $43,977,733 35 $25,871,748 7 $12,423,000 3 $82,272,481 45

CF Guaranteed $2,674,837 3 $5,750,000 1 $25,210,000 5 $33,634,837 9

CF Grants $4,439,687 133 $846,839 19 $496,703 23 $5,783,229 175

WWD Direct $54,827,300 38 $4,479,000 1 $1,573,000 6 $60,879,300 45

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $22,543,636 48 $3,239,236 7 $8,884,955 13 $34,667,827 68

Telecom $85,772,405 29 $259,428 1 $183,597 1 $86,215,430 31

Electric $1,763,441,000 32 $260,849,000 2 $395,866,000 2 $2,420,156,000 36

All Other Programs $3,168,101 30 $274,216 9 $241,191 7 $3,683,508 46

COLORADO TOTAL $3,862,358,275 11,162 $645,428,093 1,958 $747,403,624 1,515 $5,255,189,992 14,635

Centennial Mental Health Center’s new facility in Fort Morgan, CO, 

constructed using funds from USDA Rural Development. The facility 

serves more than 6,000 clients annually.

Colorado Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
24 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Connecticut

Energy Programs

Solar Power for Family Farm Operation

Lost Acres Vineyard is a small vineyard in northern Connecticut 

with 5 acres of vines on 60 acres of land. Kevin Riggot and Michelle 

Niedermeyer have run the small family-operated enterprise, in 

North Granby, CT, since 2010. They not only produce outstanding 

handcrafted wine, but host local farmers markets four times a year, 

and community events in their barn such as “Yoga in the Vines,” 

live music shows, and showcases for local art.

USDA Rural Development provided Lost Acres Vineyard with a 

Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install 

a 12.4 kW (kilowatt) solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the 

barn. The solar panels supply 80 percent of vineyard’s electricity 

needs through clean, renewable energy.

The solar panel system complements other environmentally 

friendly practices used on the farm, such as Integrated Pest 

Management, composting of grapes, and recycling.

Riggot and Niedermeyer recently installed a commercial kitchen to 

expand their production capabilities. Visitors may try homemade 

antipasto and cheese plates made from the farm’s chickens, herbs, 

and vegetable gardens. The farmland has been producing libations 

since the 1700s, when it was an apple and peach orchard used to 

make hard cider and apple jack.

Riggot and Niedermeyer enjoy connecting with their local 

customers at Lost Acres wine tastings, farmers markets, and 

other events. They are dedicated to building a sustainable farm 

operation and events that bring the community together. The 

solar panels were the final touch to perfecting their communityoriented farm.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $37,226,500 14 $6,000,000 2 $2,224,000 1 $45,450,500 17

IRP $1,500,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,500,000 2

Renewable Energy $1,967,567 67 $934,022 23 $421,544 13 $3,323,133 103

Business Grants $1,450,938 25 $159,000 4 $147,000 4 $1,756,938 33

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $334,000 2 $250,000 1 $250,000 1 $834,000 4

SFH Direct $29,640,908 160 $4,117,255 23 $4,250,059 23 $38,008,222 206

SFH Guaranteed $677,665,516 3,701 $130,921,335 721 $107,396,294 592 $915,983,145 5,014

SFH Repairs $763,467 135 $142,907 21 $196,857 31 $1,103,231 187

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $9,323,852 16 $2,330,042 4 $6,335,986 9 $17,989,880 29

MFH Guaranteed $4,179,250 2 $0 0 $0 0 $4,179,250 2

Farm Labor Housing $250,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $250,000 1

Rental Assistance $39,891,504 332 $8,522,796 63 $9,131,090 68 $57,545,390 463

CF Direct $119,179,420 43 $17,817,163 4 $46,612,995 10 $183,609,578 57

CF Guaranteed $27,027,600 5 $0 0 $1,500,000 1 $28,527,600 6

CF Grants $1,864,707 45 $158,000 7 $250,000 8 $2,272,707 60

WWD Direct $70,011,000 26 $14,786,000 4 $16,917,000 5 $101,714,000 35

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $41,766,905 37 $4,093,000 5 $4,045,000 5 $49,904,905 47

Telecom $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $299,890 8 $50,000 1 $46,021 1 $395,911 10

CONNECTICUT TOTAL $1,064,343,024 4,621 $190,281,521 883 $199,723,846 772 $1,454,348,391 6,276

Kevin Riggot of Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby. The new, USDA financed, 

roof-mounted 12.4 kW solar panels provide electric power to run the farm and 

for community events.

Connecticut Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 25 

Community Support 

Programs, Inc., to 

renovate and expand 

the Withdrawal 

Management Center 

located in Harrington, 

DE. The 2016 award, 

which will help the 

center increase 

outpatient services, 

builds on a $5 million 

loan from USDA 

Rural Development 

to purchase the 

23,500-square-foot 

treatment facility that 

opened in late 2015. 

The center, which 

serves downstate Delaware, provides 12 overnight beds for 

clients needing intense detox treatment, and 16 longer term 

beds so nurses can observe patients to determine their next level 

of care. The facility also includes an on-site family therapy center 

and primary care office.

Today, thanks to USDA Rural Development, more people in rural 

Delaware are receiving high-quality healthcare for substance 

misuse and addiction.

Delaware

Community Programs

USDA Supports Substance Abuse 

Treatment Center

Walk into any town in rural America, and ask a local if they know 

someone who struggles, or has struggled, with addiction. Chances 

are the answer will be yes.

In 2014, more than 24,000 Americans died of overdoses of opioids, 

a class of drugs that includes both prescription pain medication 

and heroin. Delaware is not immune to this crisis, and has higherthan-average painkiller abuse and a rising number of overdose 

deaths. There were 180 suspected drug overdose deaths in the 

State in 2015.

In January 2015, President Obama tapped Agriculture Secretary 

Tom Vilsack to lead an interagency Federal effort focused on 

the heroin and prescription opioid crisis. Most people probably 

wouldn’t think of USDA as the obvious choice for this role, but we 

are uniquely suited for the task, given our strong, longstanding 

relationship with rural America, where rates of overdose and 

opioid misuse are particularly high.

In June 2016, Secretary Vilsack announced a $1 million USDA 

Rural Development Community Facilities loan to Connections 

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $7,493,627 7 $1,350,000 1 $1,856,000 2 $10,699,627 10

IRP $1,020,437 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,020,437 3

Renewable Energy $500,695 20 $935,526 23 $395,944 9 $1,832,165 52

Business Grants $875,590 24 $111,000 8 $105,000 6 $1,091,590 38

REDLG $593,120 1 $300,000 1 $0 0 $893,120 2

VAPG $41,000 1 $748,750 4 $250,000 1 $1,039,750 6

SFH Direct $63,190,234 358 $5,298,547 30 $10,448,665 58 $78,937,446 446

SFH Guaranteed $627,508,745 3,363 $133,945,296 676 $124,319,821 641 $885,773,862 4,680

SFH Repairs $430,468 65 $60,431 10 $98,333 16 $589,232 91

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,096,000 5 $0 0 $790,000 1 $3,886,000 6

MFH Direct $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,000,000 1

MFH Guaranteed $1,273,086 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,273,086 2

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $38,652,905 207 $7,622,076 40 $8,061,135 46 $54,336,116 293

CF Direct $49,321,000 19 $31,050,000 5 $17,555,000 8 $97,926,000 32

CF Guaranteed $500,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $500,000 1

CF Grants $2,738,924 51 $181,400 5 $530,480 9 $3,450,804 65

WWD Direct $97,723,065 36 $1,515,000 3 $7,900,000 6 $107,138,065 45

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $26,335,491 28 $3,107,000 7 $2,815,000 8 $32,257,491 43

Telecom $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Electric $85,300,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $85,300,000 3

All Other Programs $5,611,800 15 $997,464 6 $1,048,963 8 $7,658,227 29

DELAWARE TOTAL $1,013,206,187 4,210 $187,222,490 819 $176,174,342 819 $1,376,603,019 5,848

Delaware Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

Nurse Antonelle Darling evaluates a client at the 

Connections Withdrawal Management Center 

in Harrington. The facility, which opened in 

November 2015, received additional financing 

from USDA this year to expand operations.
26 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Florida

Business Programs

USDA Helps Boost Local Economies in 

Rural South Florida

Most people associate Palm Beach County, on the southern 

Florida coast, with opulent beachfront homes and luxurious 

living. In the western part of the county, though, there are small 

rural communities—where people’s average income is around 

$29,300—that need help to thrive. USDA Rural Development is 

partnering with local leaders and other government agencies 

to stimulate economic development and growth in these rural 

underserved communities.

USDA Rural Development provided the Palm Beach County 

Department of Economic Sustainability with a $1 million Intermediary 

Relending Program loan. The program provides 1 percent, 

low-interest loans to intermediaries that re-lend money to 

businesses and for community development projects in rural areas. 

These projects create jobs and help stem rural out-migration.

The county will use the loan from USDA to establish a revolving loan 

fund to finance economic development projects. The USDA award 

will be leveraged with $1.5 million from the county, commercial 

bank loans, and funding from the Small Business Administration and 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The initial funds will help improve operations at seven businesses 

in and around rural Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay, Florida.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $279,916,997 72 $78,712,500 24 $102,991,026 23 $461,620,523 119

IRP $618,000 2 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $1,618,000 3

Renewable Energy $4,824,427 97 $3,230,961 21 $854,434 22 $8,909,822 140

Business Grants $4,807,239 31 $586,000 5 $628,000 6 $6,021,239 42

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $1,900,000 3 $1,900,000 3

VAPG $1,333,369 7 $557,000 4 $488,000 5 $2,378,369 16

SFH Direct $215,942,677 1,922 $28,597,685 244 $32,169,499 262 $276,709,861 2,428

SFH Guaranteed $4,738,397,842 36,549 $629,696,186 4,408 $582,402,850 3,912 $5,950,496,878 44,869

SFH Repairs $8,150,227 1,497 $1,021,435 175 $1,601,019 256 $10,772,682 1,928

SFH Self-Help Grants $11,174,710 6 $2,100,000 2 $2,577,790 4 $15,852,500 12

MFH Direct $39,431,970 59 $0 0 $21,625,079 17 $61,057,049 76

MFH Guaranteed $8,348,000 7 $1,750,000 1 $16,321,000 18 $26,419,000 26

Farm Labor Housing $13,000,000 10 $0 0 $5,400,000 5 $18,400,000 15

Rental Assistance $282,874,925 1,912 $54,652,241 341 $68,497,815 403 $406,024,981 2,656

CF Direct $58,150,750 32 $22,692,000 6 $2,460,800 5 $83,303,550 43

CF Guaranteed $15,160,000 6 $10,300,000 2 $2,970,000 1 $28,430,000 9

CF Grants $3,999,800 45 $332,700 4 $878,650 14 $5,211,150 63

WWD Direct $127,029,900 47 $3,178,000 3 $19,042,000 5 $149,249,900 55

WWD Guaranteed $200,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $200,000 1

WWD Grants $64,736,040 58 $3,678,830 7 $9,135,320 6 $77,550,190 71

Telecom $49,414,932 6 $346,831 2 $0 0 $49,761,763 8

Electric $872,356,000 19 $244,401,000 4 $89,004,000 3 $1,205,761,000 26

All Other Programs $83,124,922 25 $2,307,345 274 $2,463,071 305 $87,895,338 604

FLORIDA TOTAL $6,882,992,728 42,410 $1,088,140,714 5,527 $964,410,353 5,276 $8,935,543,795 53,213

USDA Rural Development Florida State Director Richard Machek presents Palm 

Beach County Commission Mayor Mary Lou Berger with a ceremonial check 

commemorating the $1 million Intermediary Relending Program loan award.

Florida Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 27 

Georgia

Housing Programs

Historic Anniversary Celebrated 

in Donalsonville

The first home ever purchased through USDA’s Single-Family 

Housing Guaranteed Loan Program is located in Donalsonville, GA. 

In June 2016, USDA Rural Development officials joined government 

leaders, housing developers, lenders, and others in Donalsonville 

to celebrate that first milestone purchase back in 1991, the 25th 

anniversary of the program, and how the program has helped rural 

residents across the State.

Under the program, approved lenders provide mortgage loans 

to qualified low- to moderate-income applicants. USDA Rural 

Development guarantees the loans, increasing the amount of 

credit available for affordable housing.

Over the last 25 years, the program has grown significantly 

in Georgia. Today, 475 lenders partnering with USDA Rural 

Development have helped nearly 45,000 rural Georgia families 

become homeowners.

Besides homeownership opportunities, the program stimulates 

the economy at the local level. For example, it creates jobs for 

builders, realtors, appraisers, and home fixtures manufacturers, 

and it also increases business opportunities for lenders as well.

In a separate ceremony later in June, USDA Rural Development 

Georgia State Director Jill Stuckey recognized Homestar Financial 

Corporation, a USDA-approved lender based in Gainesville, GA, as a 

“Lender of Excellence” for making the most guaranteed home loans 

in the State. Since 1991, the company has made more than 6,000 

loans under the program.

Of this top-lender award, Wes Hunt, President of Homestar, said, 

“Specializing in USDA’s Single-Family Housing Program after the 2008 

economic downturn helped keep our company going and growing.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $419,641,717 116 $22,525,284 4 $47,457,000 8 $489,624,001 128

IRP $1,839,000 4 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $2,839,000 5

Renewable Energy $15,924,481 428 $4,253,597 80 $11,207,026 60 $31,385,105 568

Business Grants $8,660,009 110 $832,000 11 $899,000 12 $10,391,009 133

REDLG $10,071,616 14 $0 0 $1,550,000 2 $11,621,616 16

VAPG $5,861,086 29 $3,230,326 17 $1,456,462 8 $10,547,874 54

SFH Direct $142,101,332 1,321 $10,830,393 103 $17,890,849 163 $170,822,574 1,587

SFH Guaranteed $2,992,827,731 25,663 $524,739,336 4,189 $535,465,360 4,091 $4,053,032,427 33,943

SFH Repairs $10,864,196 1,575 $1,259,450 178 $1,502,844 228 $13,626,490 1,981

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $12,804,005 20 $0 0 $0 0 $12,804,005 20

MFH Guaranteed $22,668,682 24 $1,650,000 1 $0 0 $24,318,682 25

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $143,835,456 1,727 $28,577,952 322 $37,491,057 377 $209,904,465 2,426

CF Direct $146,539,318 160 $46,058,950 19 $61,107,125 26 $253,705,393 205

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $32,000,000 1 $32,000,000 1

CF Grants $6,521,619 166 $647,100 21 $1,171,700 37 $8,340,419 224

WWD Direct $106,050,880 49 $23,442,600 7 $34,183,000 8 $163,676,480 64

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $79,825,413 46 $7,588,500 14 $11,635,500 11 $99,049,413 71

Telecom $112,412,671 20 $903,016 2 $1,533,081 6 $114,848,768 28

Electric $3,433,256,000 57 $270,130,000 7 $740,469,000 8 $4,443,855,000 72

All Other Programs $159,890,034 54 $376,021 73 $644,168 142 $160,910,223 269

GEORGIA TOTAL $7,831,595,246 31,583 $947,044,526 5,048 $1,538,663,173 5,189 $10,317,302,945 41,820

Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Vernita Dore signs a proclamation, 

committing to increase opportunities for home loan guarantees in Georgia, 

at the 25th anniversary celebration in Donalsonville.

Georgia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
28 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Hawaii

Business Programs

A Growing Partnership Builds a Garden in Kauai 

One way USDA Rural Development supports our mission 

to improve the quality of life for rural America is through 

its partnerships with other public, private, and nonprofit 

organizations. With these alliances, Federal funding can be 

leveraged with other sources to promote positive change in our 

rural communities.

For example, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, what started as a 

$215 million electric loan to Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) 

to provide electricity to the Kauai community has blossomed into a 

great partnership between USDA Rural Development and KIUC.

Since 2005, KIUC has been a recipient of six separate grant awards 

totaling $1.8 million under the Rural Economic Development 

Grant Program. Under this program, Rural Development awards 

funds to local utilities like KIUC to support nonprofits that benefit 

the communities in their service area. For the past 10 years, KIUC 

has used the grants to help expand Kauai Hospice, Inc., build 

infrastructure for Kauai Island School, and renovate and construct 

facilities for the Kauai YWCA.

Most recently, in 2016, USDA Rural Development provided KIUC 

with two Rural Economic Development grants of $300,000 each 

to help the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii and the National Tropical 

Botanical Garden. Funds were used to help renovate and expand 

two educational facilities for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii that 

will be used for technology, sports, recreational activities, and health 

and life skills courses. The National Tropical Botanical Garden will 

use the funds to help renovate its visitor center that will showcase 

the preservation of tropical plant diversity, propagation, habitat 

restoration, scientific research, and education.

Working together, partnerships like USDA Rural Development and 

the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative can foster very real, positive 

change in our rural communities.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $58,445,000 13 $7,500,000 2 $6,486,300 1 $72,431,300 16

IRP $180,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $180,000 1

Renewable Energy $1,932,104 58 $1,104,098 17 $534,086 20 $3,570,288 95

Business Grants $1,455,599 26 $113,000 4 $101,000 5 $1,669,599 35

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $600,000 2 $600,000 2

VAPG $542,896 9 $358,335 2 $0 0 $901,231 11

SFH Direct $86,188,092 394 $14,896,189 59 $14,000,381 54 $115,084,662 507

SFH Guaranteed $1,341,665,620 4,172 $217,177,497 673 $170,305,433 534 $1,729,148,550 5,379

SFH Repairs $2,353,728 340 $363,996 55 $289,024 39 $3,006,749 434

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,936,090 8 $1,409,475 3 $1,383,302 2 $6,728,867 13

MFH Direct $1,624,990 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,624,990 3

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $8,895,352 1 $8,895,352 1

Farm Labor Housing $6,561,428 3 $1,876,274 1 $0 0 $8,437,702 4

Rental Assistance $36,150,612 125 $7,809,120 21 $10,974,656 28 $54,934,388 174

CF Direct $140,901,490 31 $5,029,000 3 $26,178,986 8 $172,109,476 42

CF Guaranteed $23,065,000 7 $0 0 $0 0 $23,065,000 7

CF Grants $2,227,769 37 $350,000 5 $187,800 6 $2,765,569 48

WWD Direct $18,233,100 13 $0 0 $0 0 $18,233,100 13

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $13,520,054 13 $35,500 2 $16,202,232 13 $29,757,786 28

Telecom $1,725,465 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,725,465 5

Electric $182,851,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $182,851,000 2

All Other Programs $4,593,188 23 $442,115 4 $1,421,021 6 $6,456,324 33

HAWAII TOTAL $1,928,153,225 5,283 $258,464,599 851 $257,559,573 719 $2,444,177,397 6,853

Staff at the National Tropical Botanical Garden review blueprints for the 

renovation of their visitor center. USDA Rural Development funding 

helped finance the improvements to the facility.

Hawaii Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 29 

Idaho

Energy Programs

Innovative Thinking Proves To Be Cost Effective

Why simply replace a structure when you can redesign it to pay 

for itself? That’s the question officials at the North Side Canal 

Company asked themselves as they considered how to replace 

their aging 100-year-old concrete “diversion structure” on the 

Snake River near Twin Falls, ID.

The structure diverts water from the Snake River into a canal that 

conveys water to approximately 165,000 acres of farmland along 

an 80-mile stretch of the river.

USDA Rural Development provided a $452,415 Rural Energy for 

America Program (REAP) grant to support the project. North 

Side Canal invested $7.5 million to design and construct the new 

diversion structure.

 Using the law of gravity and the kinetic energy of flowing water 

to its advantage, North Side Energy—a wholly owned subsidiary 

of North Side Canal Company—developed plans to incorporate a 

hydroelectric generation component in the new diversion structure. 

Flowing canal water is siphoned through turbines set in an enclosed 

system that includes a 20-foot vertical drop for the water, creating 

enough flow to generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electricity 

per year. That’s enough to power nearly 400 homes.

Over the next 28 years, the hydroelectric power plant is expected 

to generate more than $8 million in electricity that will be sold to 

Idaho Power Co., which will cover the entire project costs. Workers at 

the plant reporting that it’s surpassing production expectations and 

currently producing 6 percent more energy than originally planned.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $184,898,586 126 $36,226,960 23 $40,137,669 16 $261,263,215 165

IRP $690,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $690,000 3

Renewable Energy $7,456,163 266 $1,182,472 48 $654,924 38 $9,293,559 352

Business Grants $2,078,166 108 $465,231 16 $378,738 16 $2,922,135 140

REDLG $2,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $2,000,000 1

VAPG $1,665,450 12 $799,304 10 $863,613 7 $3,328,367 29

SFH Direct $134,217,906 1,015 $5,017,984 38 $8,729,597 64 $147,965,487 1,117

SFH Guaranteed $1,307,057,593 9,490 $219,807,145 1,433 $163,403,285 1,041 $1,690,268,023 11,964

SFH Repairs $2,242,300 380 $252,304 37 $207,097 39 $2,701,701 456

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,822,064 6 $502,211 2 $0 0 $2,324,275 8

MFH Direct $13,274,655 27 $0 0 $400,000 1 $13,674,655 28

MFH Guaranteed $5,465,000 7 $4,040,913 3 $5,556,000 5 $15,061,913 15

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $78,819,365 722 $13,519,200 146 $19,197,819 189 $111,536,384 1,057

CF Direct $29,827,700 36 $21,850,000 4 $1,309,000 4 $52,986,700 44

CF Guaranteed $2,841,000 11 $0 0 $0 0 $2,841,000 11

CF Grants $1,937,418 56 $190,700 5 $463,850 12 $2,591,968 73

WWD Direct $94,483,000 54 $38,827,000 14 $18,775,000 18 $152,085,000 86

WWD Guaranteed $1,285,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,285,000 1

WWD Grants $40,001,775 95 $16,181,440 21 $7,715,107 25 $63,898,322 141

Telecom $51,345,664 26 $482,178 1 $12,691,000 1 $64,518,842 28

Electric $85,932,000 4 $13,572,000 1 $0 0 $99,504,000 5

All Other Programs $1,904,033 13 $494,120 70 $499,654 78 $2,897,807 161

IDAHO TOTAL $2,051,244,838 12,459 $373,411,161 1,872 $280,982,353 1,554 $2,705,638,352 15,885

The North Side Canal Company’s new hydroelectric diversion structure that 

was financed, in part, through USDA Rural Development’s REAP program.

Idaho Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
30 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Illinois

Business Programs

USDA Partners Leverage Funding 

to Create Jobs in Illinois

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Economic Development Loan and 

Grant (REDLG) program provides zero-interest loans and grants 

to utilities that, in turn, lend funds to local businesses for projects 

to create and retain employment in rural areas. These revolving 

loan funds broaden the REDLG program’s reach and impact—and 

contribute to local community economic development.

Justin Holsapple grew up on a family farm in Cumberland County, 

IL, and returned after college with the goal of running his own 

business. He took on a dealership with Channel Seed, branched 

out into the pesticide and nutritional markets, and started Ag 

Underground as a way to market these products. Like many 

businesses looking to start-up or expand, Ag Underground needed 

financing. Working through the Norris Electric Cooperative, 

Holsapple received a zero-percent-interest loan of about $102,800 

to expand his new business—beginning with a warehouse large 

enough to serve his growing customer base. He hopes to attract 

others to join him as his business grows and he is able to add jobs. 

Meanwhile, IHI Turbo America (ITA), a manufacturing company 

based in Shelbyville, IL (population 4,689), continues to add worldwide customers, production orders, and jobs.

ITA secured new contracts requiring expanded production 

capacity in order to meet demand. USDA Rural Development 

provided Shelby Electric Co-op with $1 million in REDLG funding, 

which then made a loan to ITA to expand operations. The business 

expansion is expected to create more than 20 new jobs. 

This is the second time that ITA has expanded production with 

a supporting REDLG award through Shelby Electric Co-op. The 

first contributed $2 million toward a $4.8 million project that 

created 30 new jobs. With both expansions, ITA will have more 

than 100 employees.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $173,949,613 58 $6,048,420 6 $431,948 1 $180,429,981 65

IRP $4,405,000 7 $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $5,405,000 8

Renewable Energy $33,308,171 531 $2,091,945 61 $1,166,345 42 $36,566,461 634

Business Grants $5,407,589 66 $462,000 7 $431,045 7 $6,300,634 80

REDLG $22,219,502 24 $2,550,000 3 $1,770,000 2 $26,539,502 29

VAPG $1,748,760 14 $630,459 6 $789,299 4 $3,168,518 24

SFH Direct $148,623,731 1,891 $19,825,656 257 $17,404,028 231 $185,853,415 2,379

SFH Guaranteed $2,672,617,216 28,443 $326,498,446 3,428 $293,905,307 3,071 $3,293,020,970 34,942

SFH Repairs $13,837,703 2,829 $2,191,932 416 $2,379,240 474 $18,408,876 3,719

SFH Self-Help Grants $283,140 1 $0 0 $0 0 $283,140 1

MFH Direct $9,443,504 29 $2,942,945 8 $6,012,750 8 $18,399,199 45

MFH Guaranteed $30,650,650 8 $0 0 $0 0 $30,650,650 8

Farm Labor Housing $1,643,191 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,643,191 2

Rental Assistance $132,107,988 2,159 $26,840,663 418 $30,475,906 474 $189,424,557 3,051

CF Direct $95,439,054 46 $3,797,900 7 $4,409,000 3 $103,645,954 56

CF Guaranteed $22,115,000 9 $0 0 $10,000,000 1 $32,115,000 10

CF Grants $3,845,765 151 $339,600 19 $882,000 39 $5,067,365 209

WWD Direct $196,105,650 173 $33,583,000 34 $58,860,000 30 $288,548,650 237

WWD Guaranteed $756,750 1 $8,440,000 4 $479,000 1 $9,675,750 6

WWD Grants $64,168,162 139 $12,733,020 30 $14,366,787 33 $91,267,969 202

Telecom $155,841,032 33 $154,497 1 $617,242 2 $156,612,771 36

Electric $133,140,000 10 $25,000,000 1 $0 0 $158,140,000 11

All Other Programs $7,884,540 38 $1,029,612 224 $916,950 203 $9,831,101 465

ILLINOIS TOTAL $3,929,541,711 36,662 $476,160,096 4,931 $445,296,847 4,626 $4,850,998,654 46,219

Justin Holsapple (top left), along with family, friends, community members, and Norris 

Electric Co-op and Rural Development representatives who helped him obtain funding for 

the Ag Underground warehouse and business expansion.

Illinois Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 31 

Indiana

Housing Programs

A Young Girl’s Dream Comes True

When she was 12, over the summer, Stacy Parker of Linton, IN, 

would ride her bike to the community swimming pool. Along 

the way, she would often stop in front of a particular house and 

daydream about living there one day.

Later, her dream came true when she was able to rent the house. 

She lived there for 5 years, but then the owners decided to sell. 

Parker wanted to purchase the property, but several conventional 

mortgage companies turned her down because she had not been 

at her current job long enough to qualify for a loan.

She contacted staff with her local USDA Rural Development office 

who advised her about the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed 

Loan Program. Under this program, USDA partners with approved 

lenders to provide affordable loans to low- to moderate-income 

rural homebuyers. The lenders make the loans, which are 

guaranteed by the government to reduce risk to the lenders and 

increase the amount of credit they can provide.

Parker applied through local lender Ruoff Mortgage and was 

approved for a guaranteed loan to buy the home. Today, thanks to 

USDA Rural Development and Ruoff Mortgage, she not only owns 

her dream home but her monthly loan payments are less than 

what she had been paying for rent.

In FY 2015, Indiana’s Single Family Housing Programs provided 

more than $618 million to help about 5,780 Hoosier families buy, 

build, or repair their homes.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $106,184,593 46 $12,778,000 5 $10,498,000 4 $129,460,593 55

IRP $350,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $350,000 2

Renewable Energy $30,742,634 487 $2,544,443 75 $11,154,344 58 $44,441,422 620

Business Grants $4,111,380 67 $501,000 9 $526,000 6 $5,138,380 82

REDLG $3,504,000 7 $2,628,540 3 $0 0 $6,132,540 10

VAPG $1,050,295 13 $610,390 7 $389,532 3 $2,050,217 23

SFH Direct $217,569,008 2,002 $22,181,479 179 $22,526,364 188 $262,276,851 2,369

SFH Guaranteed $3,092,201,889 29,236 $594,828,396 5,424 $554,731,405 5,007 $4,241,761,690 39,667

SFH Repairs $7,502,333 1,432 $975,448 177 $932,277 171 $9,410,058 1,780

SFH Self-Help Grants $954,132 4 $628,275 2 $0 0 $1,582,407 6

MFH Direct $4,176,265 15 $1,057,051 3 $137,016 1 $5,370,332 19

MFH Guaranteed $7,040,000 10 $0 0 $3,158,000 4 $10,198,000 14

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $107,543,988 1,841 $19,432,512 363 $23,977,115 424 $150,953,615 2,628

CF Direct $161,086,071 39 $1,432,000 2 $4,909,200 4 $167,427,271 45

CF Guaranteed $21,524,999 6 $0 0 $0 0 $21,524,999 6

CF Grants $4,179,107 77 $330,400 13 $628,050 18 $5,137,557 108

WWD Direct $233,232,100 97 $3,517,200 5 $67,465,000 19 $304,214,300 121

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $107,240,958 62 $12,307,625 11 $17,607,100 12 $137,155,683 85

Telecom $128,177,062 14 $0 0 $554,348 2 $128,731,410 16

Electric $779,522,000 23 $71,500,000 4 $20,732,000 4 $871,754,000 31

All Other Programs $1,949,508 42 $986,133 197 $1,068,972 227 $4,004,614 466

INDIANA TOTAL $5,019,842,322 35,522 $748,238,892 6,479 $740,994,723 6,152 $6,509,075,938 48,153

Stacy Parker (center with certificate) celebrates with staff from the local 

USDA Rural Development office who helped connect her with the guaranteed 

home loan program.

Indiana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
32 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Iowa

Utilities Programs

Improving Health Care With Telemedicine

USDA Rural Development is partnering with the University of 

Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in Iowa City, IA, to establish 

telemedicine sites at nearly 70 remote, rural healthcare facilities in 

46 counties across the State.

“Telemedicine offers improved care for children and seniors with 

frequent health care needs but constrained ability to travel to 

appointments far from home,” said USDA Rural Development Iowa 

State Director Bill Menner.

The rural healthcare facilities—including family medicine 

clinics, nursing homes, and child health specialty clinics—will 

receive almost $1 million in telemedicine equipment through a 

$498,970 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant from Rural 

Development and matching funds from UIHC.

The initial phase of the project will bring telemedicine services to 

about 15 sites. The rest of the remote sites will be linked to UIHC 

telemedicine services within a year. Each healthcare facility connecting 

to UIHC can choose the equipment that will best fit its needs.

“We want to provide rural Iowans the best possible options to help 

them have better, increased access to specialty care locally,” said 

Dr. Patrick Brophy, medical director and assistant vice president 

of the eHealth and eNovation Center for University of Iowa Health 

Care. “Our goal is to keep patients in their communities as much 

as possible, and we believe we can achieve that goal through 

telemedicine. Our collaboration with USDA is making it easier to 

keep practitioners and communities connected to world-class 

medical specialty care.”

Since 2009, USDA has helped fund 17 telemedicine projects to 

improve healthcare access for rural Iowans.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $299,558,241 92 $45,968,767 17 $46,278,400 13 $391,805,408 122

IRP $2,845,219 8 $200,000 1 $0 0 $3,045,219 9

Renewable Energy $119,630,779 1,913 $4,601,732 164 $1,937,336 79 $126,169,848 2,156

Business Grants $4,516,373 69 $336,200 6 $300,000 9 $5,152,573 84

REDLG $40,525,000 87 $11,329,880 17 $7,322,833 14 $59,177,713 118

VAPG $6,357,717 39 $2,464,580 11 $571,295 6 $9,393,592 56

SFH Direct $119,327,580 1,393 $9,068,353 104 $9,548,236 103 $137,944,169 1,600

SFH Guaranteed $1,344,038,499 13,561 $237,102,920 2,264 $204,959,611 1,905 $1,786,101,029 17,730

SFH Repairs $6,212,221 1,454 $998,751 203 $942,510 200 $8,153,483 1,857

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $2,694,837 17 $0 0 $0 0 $2,694,837 17

MFH Guaranteed $7,606,600 4 $0 0 $0 0 $7,606,600 4

Farm Labor Housing $1,038,091 7 $0 0 $0 0 $1,038,091 7

Rental Assistance $111,160,816 1,405 $19,650,960 274 $27,319,468 374 $158,131,244 2,053

CF Direct $260,449,899 80 $112,285,060 17 $171,643,500 27 $544,378,459 124

CF Guaranteed $61,474,287 23 $341,500 1 $11,647,000 2 $73,462,787 26

CF Grants $17,129,022 379 $265,200 14 $757,600 32 $18,151,822 425

WWD Direct $115,972,660 103 $8,671,000 8 $41,709,000 19 $166,352,660 130

WWD Guaranteed $5,300,000 1 $4,880,000 1 $0 0 $10,180,000 2

WWD Grants $72,444,473 113 $8,334,550 31 $10,038,840 20 $90,817,863 164

Telecom $290,215,953 53 $40,918,000 6 $15,181,000 2 $346,314,953 61

Electric $318,482,000 30 $132,173,000 6 $80,225,000 4 $530,880,000 40

All Other Programs $27,737,455 36 $2,638,064 265 $1,192,217 324 $31,567,735 625

IOWA TOTAL $3,234,717,722 20,867 $642,228,518 3,410 $631,573,846 3,133 $4,508,520,085 27,410

A UIHC nurse practitioner consults with a patient in another location 

using telemedicine equipment that links them together in real-time 

over a computer network.

Iowa Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 33 

Kansas

Housing Programs

Pride in Homeownership in Liberal, Kansas

When you hear Matthew McLane describe the building of his 

house, you can feel the pride he holds in the work that he did to 

provide a home for his family. Matthew and his wife, Candace, 

became first-time homebuyers in Liberal, KS, through USDA Rural 

Development’s Mutual Self-Help Program. 

Prior to finishing their home, the growing McLane family lived 

in an apartment. Matthew and Candace McLane and their three 

children embarked on the program as one of 55 families who have 

successfully built their home in this southwest Kansas community. 

USDA Rural Development has provided more than $6 million in 

home loan financing to residents participating in the program. 

McLane describes putting his sweat, blood, and tears into the 

home, but loving every minute of it. From learning how to hang 

drywall, to laying flooring or installing shingles, it was all new 

experiences and skills that he learned. When repairs are needed 

now, he is able to do the home maintenance and repairs himself.

“We really enjoy the extra space in our house and the yard, and 

look forward to continuing to update the property,” he said. 

“I have put in a lot of hours on this house, and I plan to take good 

care of it for the next 30 years.”

The McLanes exemplify the success of the Mutual Self-Help 

Program, as prospective homeowners build sweat equity into 

their properties and become an invested part of a growing 

neighborhood. Growing even more in their case, as they’ll 

welcome another McLane into the family this fall.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $121,358,541 56 $17,990,485 6 $14,997,338 8 $154,346,364 70

IRP $425,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $425,000 2

Renewable Energy $47,216,883 406 $2,862,652 52 $1,188,959 68 $51,268,494 526

Business Grants $2,887,265 38 $245,000 3 $233,000 4 $3,365,265 45

REDLG $32,073,576 48 $2,016,000 3 $2,624,704 3 $36,714,280 54

VAPG $1,408,580 14 $705,334 9 $785,940 6 $2,899,854 29

SFH Direct $78,231,534 923 $5,423,969 55 $2,622,716 34 $86,278,219 1,012

SFH Guaranteed $1,169,010,007 11,364 $142,263,229 1,285 $123,158,403 1,111 $1,434,431,640 13,760

SFH Repairs $4,686,830 865 $194,254 38 $333,376 69 $5,214,460 972

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,750,000 7 $15,000 1 $0 0 $1,765,000 8

MFH Direct $20,101,788 48 $484,471 2 $0 0 $20,586,259 50

MFH Guaranteed $2,947,108 3 $1,115,386 1 $906,500 1 $4,968,994 5

Farm Labor Housing $4,465,223 4 $0 0 $2,998,297 2 $7,463,520 6

Rental Assistance $54,479,701 996 $9,531,900 209 $13,234,967 246 $77,246,568 1,451

CF Direct $95,588,355 57 $12,366,850 9 $55,865,600 13 $163,820,805 79

CF Guaranteed $29,360,067 10 $0 0 $0 0 $29,360,067 10

CF Grants $19,080,275 92 $141,000 7 $302,100 21 $19,523,375 120

WWD Direct $194,617,070 134 $16,803,000 14 $10,562,000 10 $221,982,070 158

WWD Guaranteed $4,200,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $4,200,000 2

WWD Grants $90,710,862 98 $8,563,500 14 $5,215,000 9 $104,489,362 121

Telecom $373,064,300 47 $142,157 1 $26,500,000 3 $399,706,457 51

Electric $540,597,938 40 $32,158,000 3 $53,818,000 3 $626,573,938 46

All Other Programs $1,255,462 17 $390,888 119 $357,785 112 $2,004,135 248

KANSAS TOTAL $2,889,516,365 15,271 $253,413,075 1,831 $315,704,685 1,723 $3,458,634,125 18,825

The McLane family on the porch of the home they built and financed 

through USDA Rural Development.

Kansas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
34 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Kentucky

Energy Programs

USDA Helps Small Business Owner 

Save Energy and Increase Profits

USDA Rural Development helped a grocery store owner in rural 

Isom, KY, make improvements that are lowering the store’s energy 

bills. Owner Gwendolyn Christon is already reaping the benefits 

of the Rural Development grant to make her grocery more energy 

efficient. The renovations—the small business’s first major ones in 

25 years—were completed in the spring.

USDA Rural Development provided Christon with a Rural Energy 

for America Program grant of about $84,500 to upgrade her 

refrigerator units, install 4 new compressors to replace 15 older, 

less-efficient ones, and install a new heating system that uses 

the heat generated by the refrigerators. The new equipment has 

reduced the grocery’s energy use by about 35 percent.

But that’s not all the grant has done: she has also realized a 6- 

percent increase in sales. The improvements created more floor 

space allowing her to sell new lines of products. Christon was able 

to add a new dollar aisle for low-cost items. She also installed a 

rotisserie, and cooks fresh chicken every morning for customers. 

The greater variety provides her customers, from Letcher County 

and eastern Kentucky, with more options close to home, ensuring 

their hard-earned money can be spent locally.

Christon began her career as a clerk at the Isom IGA after high 

school, and worked hard to learn the business that she would later 

purchase in 1999. After growing up just 3 miles from the store, 

today she’s the proud owner and employer of 20 local residents. 

She wants to succeed for her employees, and provide for the 

community where she is a lifelong resident.

Isom, in Letcher County, received targeted assistance through the 

USDA StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity and Promise 

Zone initiatives to combat rural poverty and increase economic 

opportunity. Thanks to the partnership between Christon and 

USDA, she is saving money and reducing energy use at her 

business, all while continuing to offer quality foods and friendly 

service at the newly renovated local IGA.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $259,321,677 55 $22,125,250 10 $18,063,500 9 $299,510,427 74

IRP $4,126,000 7 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $5,126,000 8

Renewable Energy $13,962,776 308 $2,876,214 91 $1,732,776 59 $18,571,766 458

Business Grants $7,007,968 61 $679,000 15 $722,000 13 $8,408,968 89

REDLG $10,483,100 18 $2,525,000 2 $4,000,000 4 $17,008,100 24

VAPG $1,870,405 17 $605,134 10 $1,708,611 13 $4,184,150 40

SFH Direct $224,786,403 2,307 $30,690,632 333 $23,447,110 238 $278,924,145 2,878

SFH Guaranteed $2,461,829,919 21,618 $482,003,045 4,071 $447,061,210 3,730 $3,390,894,174 29,419

SFH Repairs $16,234,756 2,843 $2,689,361 448 $3,271,330 577 $22,195,447 3,868

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,000,000 3 $525,000 1 $0 0 $1,525,000 4

MFH Direct $9,511,020 19 $17,130,589 17 $12,584,917 23 $39,226,526 59

MFH Guaranteed $6,540,193 7 $0 0 $5,789,000 9 $12,329,193 16

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $99,837,432 1,584 $19,881,576 287 $26,299,105 361 $146,018,113 2,232

CF Direct $363,165,432 97 $162,054,100 23 $136,258,755 21 $661,478,287 141

CF Guaranteed $34,339,406 2 $0 0 $40,000,000 1 $74,339,406 3

CF Grants $11,429,482 202 $1,596,923 28 $1,680,017 38 $14,706,422 268

WWD Direct $286,367,100 163 $58,853,000 25 $31,900,000 17 $377,120,100 205

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $113,159,639 157 $11,443,250 23 $9,989,000 18 $134,591,889 198

Telecom $321,861,942 42 $563,268 3 $967,175 3 $323,392,385 48

Electric $1,082,723,000 31 $332,449,000 3 $334,815,000 9 $1,749,987,000 43

All Other Programs $29,313,619 104 $20,442,881 55 $5,084,075 56 $54,840,575 215

KENTUCKY TOTAL $5,358,871,269 29,645 $1,169,133,223 5,445 $1,106,373,582 5,200 $7,634,378,073 40,290

An Isom IGA employee prepares a produce display. The grocery’s new 

USDA-financed energy-efficient refrigerator units are in the background.

Kentucky Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 35 

Louisiana

Business Programs

Working for Change: Essential Workforce 

Development in the Louisiana Delta

The NOVA (New Opportunities Vision Achievement) Workforce 

Institute is helping individuals in rural northeast Louisiana get 

high-demand jobs. Employment is an issue in this sparsely 

populated, economically distressed region where residents live 

in persistent poverty. NOVA, a “jobs intermediary,” is linking area 

employers with training opportunities and local job candidates 

with the right skills to succeed.

The NOVA Workforce Institute was formed in 2006 to help 

businesses in the region address their most frequent challenge—

filling jobs with qualified applicants. Typically, applicants have 

passion and ability but lack some of the workplace skills that 

can help them thrive. NOVA started through a partnership with 

Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith, the Monroe Chamber 

of Commerce, Louisiana Delta Community College, the City of 

Monroe, and other workforce development organizations.

USDA Rural Development awarded NOVA with a $60,000 Rural 

Business Development Grant to help nine small, emerging 

businesses in the Louisiana Delta invest in potential applicants 

and prepare them for employment. NOVA is providing on-the-job 

training to build participants’ skills. The business owners, in turn, 

are also benefitting from the opportunity to recruit well-trained 

workers locally. For example, My Dream Eatery, a Lake Providence, 

LA, restaurant, has hired 12 formerly unemployed individuals who 

recently completed NOVA’s Career Readiness Certificate Program. 

These excited new employees will begin working in early fall.

USDA is targeting assistance to rural northeast Louisiana through 

the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative to 

combat rural poverty. Thanks to USDA Rural Development and 

NOVA, residents from one of the poorest areas of the State now 

have access to job training, and new opportunities for quality jobs 

and benefits.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $485,432,319 105 $52,976,800 12 $71,600,603 16 $610,009,722 133

IRP $750,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $750,000 1

Renewable Energy $4,257,170 73 $1,961,389 36 $1,015,763 36 $7,234,322 145

Business Grants $4,012,114 32 $422,000 5 $449,000 5 $4,883,114 42

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $542,340 4 $250,000 1 $500,000 2 $1,292,340 7

SFH Direct $183,252,555 1,503 $26,232,675 195 $12,140,255 96 $221,625,486 1,794

SFH Guaranteed $4,590,827,292 32,168 $686,195,947 4,650 $623,916,393 4,201 $5,900,939,632 41,019

SFH Repairs $10,157,838 1,411 $1,991,998 288 $1,325,894 198 $13,475,730 1,897

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,618,800 6 $0 0 $367,650 1 $1,986,450 7

MFH Direct $16,060,811 26 $8,523,230 14 $4,347,252 9 $28,931,293 49

MFH Guaranteed $4,507,088 5 $702,000 1 $4,665,000 2 $9,874,088 8

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $196,475,153 1,496 $38,090,232 260 $46,592,373 333 $281,157,758 2,089

CF Direct $100,452,984 42 $20,888,200 5 $78,415,000 12 $199,756,184 59

CF Guaranteed $9,526,500 3 $8,000,000 1 $0 0 $17,526,500 4

CF Grants $4,659,786 93 $361,100 17 $600,800 19 $5,621,686 129

WWD Direct $127,673,671 77 $38,185,000 13 $28,693,000 9 $194,551,671 99

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $66,470,497 61 $8,888,735 15 $6,229,864 10 $81,589,096 86

Telecom $54,828,556 16 $0 0 $1,437,560 3 $56,266,116 19

Electric $613,388,000 9 $0 0 $0 0 $613,388,000 9

All Other Programs $93,485,597 20 $80,083,571 4 $102,677 3 $173,671,844 27

LOUISIANA TOTAL $6,568,379,071 37,151 $973,752,876 5,517 $882,399,084 4,955 $8,424,531,031 47,623

USDA provided NOVA with a grant to help create jobs in the Louisiana Delta Region. 

Pictured are NOVA training participants who recently began new jobs at small businesses 

in rural northeast Louisiana.

Louisiana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
36 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Maine

Energy Programs

USDA Helps Seventh-Generation Family Farm 

Go Solar

The barn at McDougal Orchards, in Springvale, ME, is over a 

hundred years old, but today it has a new lease on life thanks to 

USDA Rural Development and solar energy technology.

USDA Rural Development provided Hanson Farm, Inc., the farm 

family that operates McDougal Orchards, with a $14,830 Rural 

Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install a solar panel 

system. The new, 20.14 kW (kilowatt) photovoltaic roof-mounted 

solar panels will supply enough power to meet all of the energy 

needs at the orchard.

For 225 years, each generation of the Hanson or McDougal family 

has done their part to keep the farm going, producing fresh fruits 

and vegetables for the community. Every fall, the family sells apples 

grown on the 284-acre property for their “pick-your-own” customers, 

their farm stand, the Sanford Farmers Market, and local wholesalers.

Since FY 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than 

$5.2 million through this vital program to help 93 Maine businesses 

make their operations more energy efficient or install renewable 

energy systems. These REAP projects will generate/save an estimated 

104,000 megawatt hours of energy—enough to power more than 

9,500 Maine homes for a year and reduce 90,000 metric tons of 

greenhouse gas emissions. This is the equivalent of removing about 

18,000 cars from Maine roads.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $62,993,889 35 $0 0 $4,880,000 3 $67,873,889 38

IRP $2,584,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $2,584,000 5

Renewable Energy $5,608,539 141 $1,911,668 49 $796,678 46 $8,316,884 236

Business Grants $6,717,453 63 $275,000 4 $512,453 7 $7,504,906 74

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $875,542 9 $247,702 4 $1,613,118 10 $2,736,362 23

SFH Direct $201,685,329 1,417 $16,302,962 114 $24,125,915 157 $242,114,206 1,688

SFH Guaranteed $1,623,211,685 11,588 $244,169,644 1,721 $243,027,668 1,692 $2,110,408,997 15,001

SFH Repairs $6,190,935 1,140 $629,340 114 $797,232 130 $7,617,507 1,384

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,180,000 3 $793,800 1 $0 0 $2,973,800 4

MFH Direct $17,930,921 32 $1,656,591 3 $8,222,811 15 $27,810,323 50

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $165,912,342 1,492 $28,147,812 256 $40,292,682 353 $234,352,836 2,101

CF Direct $36,469,150 52 $11,227,500 8 $21,594,000 6 $69,290,650 66

CF Guaranteed $24,743,624 13 $5,000,000 2 $1,248,000 1 $30,991,624 16

CF Grants $4,810,620 87 $478,600 9 $578,050 14 $5,867,270 110

WWD Direct $87,180,374 100 $13,325,000 9 $18,469,000 10 $118,974,374 119

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $87,792,316 132 $7,544,000 18 $11,557,000 18 $106,893,316 168

Telecom $23,465,256 44 $2,687,510 7 $1,644,596 5 $27,797,362 56

Electric $18,741,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $18,741,000 6

All Other Programs $11,767,938 50 $1,769,167 42 $1,345,054 99 $14,882,159 191

MAINE TOTAL $2,390,860,913 16,409 $336,166,296 2,361 $380,704,257 2,566 $3,107,731,465 21,336

Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah (fifth from right), Rural 

Development Maine State Director Virginia Manuel (eighth from right), and 

others in front of the century-old barn at McDougal Orchards.

Maine Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 37 

Maryland

Community Economic Development Programs

Delmarva: A Region of Possibilities

Thinking regionally helps rural communities solve challenging 

and persistent problems. It also pushes regions to build on their 

unique strengths as a catalyst for economic growth. In Maryland, 

USDA Rural Development spearheaded an effort to convene rural 

stakeholders for conversations about the economic benefits 

of regional collaboration. As a result, rural communities across 

the Delmarva Peninsula—a geographic area comprised of nine 

Maryland, three Delaware, and two Virginia rural counties—are now 

engaged in regional economic thinking, action, and collaboration.

To encourage regional economic development, USDA Rural 

Development worked alongside local partners in Maryland to 

champion a tri-State Delmarva regional conference. More than 100 

rural community stakeholders attended the conference, where they 

gained a clear understanding of the economic benefits derived 

from regional planning, collaboration, and action across State lines. 

The conference focused on building relationships among those 

interested in cooperating on regional efforts to make Delmarva 

thrive and prosper. Participants networked, shared aspirations for 

the area, and developed projects to move Delmarva forward as 

a region. Innovative projects that emerged from the conference 

included creating a regional data dashboard for Delmarva, 

maintaining a shared platform to tell the stories of Delmarva, and 

organizing regional meet-ups for technical entrepreneurs.

USDA Rural Development is providing technical support to help 

move all these concepts forward to reality and is helping to plan 

and facilitate a second, follow-up Delmarva regional conference 

for participants this fall.

Thanks to USDA Rural Development’s work to promote the 

economic benefits of regional thinking and collaboration, 

community leaders in rural areas across Maryland and the 

Delmarva Peninsula are now actively participating in regional 

economic development efforts to build wealth and prosperity.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $56,515,485 25 $3,268,400 3 $430,000 1 $60,213,885 29

IRP $2,669,000 4 $991,657 1 $0 0 $3,660,657 5

Renewable Energy $2,857,221 70 $1,326,607 33 $577,653 19 $4,761,481 122

Business Grants $8,317,073 46 $966,000 12 $971,000 10 $10,254,073 68

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $2,157,427 21 $1,508,079 12 $674,755 5 $4,340,261 38

SFH Direct $72,149,947 382 $9,973,365 58 $9,520,113 48 $91,643,425 488

SFH Guaranteed $2,308,865,150 11,347 $506,790,813 2,484 $451,379,564 2,203 $3,267,035,527 16,034

SFH Repairs $1,620,695 237 $227,267 35 $327,619 56 $2,175,581 328

SFH Self-Help Grants $319,995 1 $35,555 1 $0 0 $355,550 2

MFH Direct $5,040,032 8 $3,761,277 5 $3,326,827 3 $12,128,136 16

MFH Guaranteed $12,474,676 6 $0 0 $0 0 $12,474,676 6

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $88,573,844 677 $15,451,020 121 $19,859,037 138 $123,883,901 936

CF Direct $44,502,000 28 $6,380,000 2 $37,675,600 8 $88,557,600 38

CF Guaranteed $7,592,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $7,592,000 2

CF Grants $5,485,671 98 $758,300 10 $1,456,160 17 $7,700,131 125

WWD Direct $115,056,010 67 $17,237,000 11 $10,762,000 9 $143,055,010 87

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $104,625,931 86 $14,279,500 21 $11,668,000 17 $130,573,431 124

Telecom $74,411,485 31 $99,725 1 $0 0 $74,511,210 32

Electric $227,623,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $227,623,000 4

All Other Programs $7,398,266 45 $4,569,892 13 $316,008 13 $12,284,166 71

MARYLAND TOTAL $3,148,254,908 13,185 $587,624,457 2,823 $548,944,335 2,547 $4,284,823,700 18,555

Participants at the Delmarva regional conference collaborate 

on actions they can take across State lines.

Maryland Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
38 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Massachusetts

Community Programs

Helping the Hungry in 

Rural Western Massachusetts

In western Massachusetts, over 211,000 people—including more 

than 55,000 children—go hungry each year. USDA continues to 

combat hunger in the region by supporting organizations such as 

the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The food bank, based in Hatfield, MA, is vital to the area, serving 

more than 15,000 people each week. In 2015, the organization 

delivered over 10 million pounds of food to 200 different front-line 

food providers in its four-county service region. Not only does 

the USDA supply 20 percent of the food bank’s local foods, but 

USDA Rural Development in southern New England also provided 

this local nonprofit with a $46,000 Community Facilities grant to 

build a new cooler with more storage space for perishable foods. 

Food bank managers also used a portion of the grant to make its 

warehouse bathroom wheelchair accessible. The food bank started 

using the new cooler in early FY 2016.

The cooler allows the food bank to store more fresh produce 

donated by local farmers, who provide about 40 percent of its 

food stocks. The extra storage capacity enabled the food bank to 

distribute 75 percent more produce compared to the prior year.

“Without this cooler, we wouldn’t be able to leverage the 

generosity of our local farmers, who donate so much in the way of 

produce,” Andrew Morehouse, the food bank’s executive director 

said. “Frankly, it would wind up in a waste bin.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $57,119,750 20 $0 0 $0 0 $57,119,750 20

IRP $2,311,000 4 $491,658 1 $500,000 1 $3,302,658 6

Renewable Energy $7,330,879 111 $1,974,056 33 $482,143 38 $9,787,078 182

Business Grants $1,595,101 44 $242,000 7 $177,000 9 $2,014,101 60

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $411,000 4 $499,869 3 $127,072 3 $1,037,941 10

SFH Direct $78,872,809 404 $6,624,972 30 $8,396,890 43 $93,894,671 477

SFH Guaranteed $1,087,000,686 5,475 $204,993,943 990 $156,619,775 766 $1,448,614,404 7,231

SFH Repairs $1,440,834 237 $267,124 38 $157,481 25 $1,865,439 300

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $10,563,748 13 $579,200 5 $2,552,985 5 $13,695,933 23

MFH Guaranteed $3,801,905 1 $0 0 $0 0 $3,801,905 1

Farm Labor Housing $1,844,383 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,844,383 5

Rental Assistance $53,339,769 327 $10,840,968 57 $13,956,923 70 $78,137,660 454

CF Direct $67,042,000 46 $26,353,400 8 $20,177,889 9 $113,573,289 63

CF Guaranteed $13,397,500 13 $1,240,000 1 $948,000 1 $15,585,500 15

CF Grants $3,263,860 49 $501,883 6 $777,529 9 $4,543,272 64

WWD Direct $85,287,785 60 $9,440,000 10 $11,250,000 9 $105,977,785 79

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $68,105,313 86 $3,534,150 12 $3,187,000 11 $74,826,463 109

Telecom $499,970 1 $0 0 $636,619 2 $1,136,589 3

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $4,627,264 27 $2,712,403 15 $736,837 15 $8,076,504 57

MASSACHUSETTS TOTAL $1,547,855,556 6,927 $270,295,626 1,216 $220,684,142 1,016 $2,038,835,325 9,159

Rural Development helped the food bank purchase a new 24-by-30 foot 

drive-in cooler that doubled its storage capacity and led to a 75-percent 

increase in food distributions.

Massachusetts Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 39 

Michigan

Water and Environmental Programs

Long-Term Partnership Transforms Little City 

in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Today, residents of Manistique, MI, have better drinking 

water, and safer, more reliable sewer and stormwater systems 

too, thanks to an ongoing partnership between USDA Rural 

Development and city leaders. Since 2008, Rural Development has 

provided this small rural city with a population just under 3,100 

with $30.3 million in affordable financing for critically needed 

infrastructure improvements.

Most of Manistique’s underground water and sewer infrastructure 

was installed in 1908, with some of it built out in the late 1930s. But 

the city couldn’t afford major upgrades or additions to the systems 

since then. Residents began complaining about the smell and color 

of the city’s water. The city received three citations from Michigan’s 

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) because stormwater 

inundated the sewer system and caused overflows.

Rural Development’s investments in 2008 helped Manistique 

upgrade its outmoded water system. The water has improved so 

much that the American Water Works Association has awarded 

the city “Best Tasting Water” in the Upper Peninsula for 3 years 

running. The city recently won “Best Tasting Water” at the State 

level, and then went on to place Michigan’s water in the top-10 best 

in the Nation.

“We don’t get complaints anymore,” Water and Wastewater 

Superintendent Corey Barr said. “Nothing like we used to.” 

Infrastructure work has been coordinated with road improvements 

from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Construction 

is underway on a project that will separate the stormwater and 

sewer lines, and increase the distance between the drinking 

water and sewer lines, to meet DEQ regulations. USDA Rural 

Development provided nearly $4 million for this latest project, 

which is expected to be complete in October 2016.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $239,258,830 93 $20,620,494 8 $31,965,000 8 $291,844,324 109

IRP $1,252,000 4 $0 0 $279,595 1 $1,531,595 5

Renewable Energy $10,058,812 422 $2,398,482 94 $958,063 58 $13,415,357 574

Business Grants $6,842,158 170 $785,000 23 $834,000 18 $8,461,158 211

REDLG $1,200,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,200,000 3

VAPG $4,239,337 27 $851,030 8 $1,248,900 8 $6,339,267 43

SFH Direct $196,382,226 2,049 $26,679,209 272 $32,005,811 311 $255,067,246 2,632

SFH Guaranteed $4,170,159,938 40,512 $753,773,740 6,693 $639,358,969 5,551 $5,563,292,647 52,756

SFH Repairs $10,226,231 2,082 $1,899,824 352 $1,869,339 381 $13,995,394 2,815

SFH Self-Help Grants $812,100 5 $239,200 1 $0 0 $1,051,300 6

MFH Direct $21,151,463 48 $0 0 $1,695,021 4 $22,846,484 52

MFH Guaranteed $5,312,000 5 $1,150,000 2 $1,601,000 3 $8,063,000 10

Farm Labor Housing $2,588,514 11 $0 0 $0 0 $2,588,514 11

Rental Assistance $172,152,056 2,134 $30,299,752 366 $36,878,008 463 $239,329,816 2,963

CF Direct $209,355,140 145 $66,311,000 26 $79,235,000 24 $354,901,140 195

CF Guaranteed $26,597,000 6 $5,226,969 4 $0 0 $31,823,969 10

CF Grants $11,420,500 448 $1,117,300 43 $1,645,000 73 $14,182,800 564

WWD Direct $477,415,000 230 $56,656,000 27 $56,006,000 31 $590,077,000 288

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $165,588,313 152 $15,822,000 13 $16,196,700 18 $197,607,013 183

Telecom $126,827,229 24 $976,587 3 $544,719 2 $128,348,535 29

Electric $287,671,000 8 $84,000,000 2 $47,652,000 2 $419,323,000 12

All Other Programs $16,129,969 55 $1,418,209 343 $2,150,020 283 $19,698,198 681

MICHIGAN TOTAL $6,162,639,816 48,633 $1,070,224,795 8,280 $952,123,145 7,239 $8,184,987,756 64,152

Affordable financing from USDA Rural Development has helped Manistique, MI, improve 

its water and waste disposal systems. The latest project involves replacing and relocating 

water and sewer lines under the State highway that runs through the city.

Michigan Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
40 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Minnesota

Community Economic Development Programs

From Farm-to-Fork: New Food Hub 

Boosts Sales for Minnesota Producers

In early 2016, representatives from USDA Rural Development 

joined community leaders and elected officials to celebrate the 

grand opening of the Sprout regional food hub and Growers and 

Makers Marketplace in Little Falls, MN. The food hub/market is 

bringing new sales opportunities for producers, and increasing 

access to fresh, locally grown foods for customers, too.

The new food hub/marketplace is a year-round venue for local 

growers, and artists, to sell their wares. It includes a processing 

facility for the growers and an in-house commercial kitchen. 

Sprout was started back in 2005 by Arlene and Bob Jones on 

their farm in Brainerd, MN, to help Minnesota growers, from 

“farm-to-fork,” to find new markets and increase sales.

Strategic partnerships and regional planning helped make 

the Sprout expansion into Little Falls a reality. Region Five 

Development Commission Executive Director Cheryal Hills 

has been working on a region-wide plan to improve central 

Minnesota’s economy that includes local foods production as a 

component of the plan. 

USDA Rural Development supported this regional initiative, and 

the planned food hub, through a $200,000 Rural Community 

Development Initiative grant. Rural Development also provided 

the development commission with Rural Microenterprise 

Assistance Program funding that helped several area growers scale 

up production to meet the food hub demand.

More than 300 people attended the ribbon-cutting, including 

elected officials, Minnesota’s Agriculture Commissioner, USDA 

Rural Development’s Under Secretary Lisa Mensah, and Minnesota 

State Director Colleen Landkamer—all long-time supporters of 

local foods and rural business development.

Today, 70 local growers already are selling their fresh, locally 

grown produce at the Sprout location in Little Falls.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $124,911,198 54 $18,330,000 3 $27,482,500 4 $170,723,698 61

IRP $3,237,159 7 $0 0 $0 0 $3,237,159 7

Renewable Energy $36,428,349 918 $3,423,495 96 $15,627,409 62 $55,479,253 1,076

Business Grants $5,870,145 64 $732,340 7 $496,667 8 $7,099,152 79

REDLG $16,451,588 30 $1,600,000 3 $2,530,000 6 $20,581,588 39

VAPG $4,890,377 24 $1,054,749 9 $1,494,048 8 $7,439,174 41

SFH Direct $139,743,062 1,172 $19,066,679 148 $16,900,050 125 $175,709,791 1,445

SFH Guaranteed $2,665,346,045 21,887 $517,121,680 3,851 $460,363,425 3,282 $3,642,831,150 29,020

SFH Repairs $6,119,326 1,094 $731,514 134 $640,805 107 $7,491,645 1,335

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $13,409,624 26 $0 0 $301,966 2 $13,711,590 28

MFH Guaranteed $2,326,174 2 $0 0 $1,300,000 1 $3,626,174 3

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $103,986,416 1,845 $18,264,408 340 $23,892,302 446 $146,143,126 2,631

CF Direct $333,646,700 147 $20,672,000 13 $60,641,500 23 $414,960,200 183

CF Guaranteed $57,730,800 15 $9,832,500 1 $0 0 $67,563,300 16

CF Grants $9,687,687 156 $1,014,500 20 $1,277,472 28 $11,979,659 204

WWD Direct $182,600,000 119 $23,690,000 11 $34,542,000 13 $240,832,000 143

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $124,248,866 154 $12,535,000 19 $15,071,816 17 $151,855,682 190

Telecom $327,393,347 63 $30,896,000 4 $7,827,481 7 $366,116,828 74

Electric $767,452,000 55 $328,677,000 19 $78,631,000 4 $1,174,760,000 78

All Other Programs $31,136,626 43 $1,589,562 108 $1,661,928 150 $34,388,116 301

MINNESOTA TOTAL $4,956,615,489 27,875 $1,009,231,427 4,786 $750,682,368 4,293 $6,716,529,284 36,954

Ribbon-cutting at the newly sprouted Growers and Makers Marketplace in 

Little Falls. USDA Rural Development Minnesota State Director Colleen Landkamer 

is second to left, and Under Secretary Mensah is second to right.

Minnesota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 41 

Mississippi

Business Programs

USDA Helps Renovate Mississippi 

Delta Healthcare Center

Mississippi’s Delta Region, known as the “birthplace of the blues,” 

has rich local traditions and culture that goes back centuries. 

However, the region also has a long history of poverty and lack of 

economic opportunity. Improving healthcare in the delta is one of 

the ways to improve the quality of life—and increase economic 

opportunity—for people living there.

USDA Rural Development’s Delta Health Care Services Grant 

Program provides funds for unmet healthcare needs in the Delta 

Region. USDA collaborates with healthcare professionals, higher 

education and research institutions, and other local entities to 

carry out the program.

USDA Rural Development in Mississippi awarded the Delta Health 

Alliance with a $1 million grant—the maximum award available 

through the program. The alliance is using the funds to help the 

Leland Medical Clinic renovate its entire facility and upgrade its 

electronic health records system. Leland Medical Clinic serves 

more than 2,700 patients, many of whom have low-income and are 

managing chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Funds are also being used to improve the clinic’s telehealth 

services to facilitate participation in the Mississippi Health 

Information Exchange. Telemedicine networks allow patients to 

receive care from participating physicians without having to travel 

outside their community, a major advantage in rural parts of the 

Mississippi Delta, where patients don’t always have easy access to 

a specialist in their local healthcare system.

“As a native of the Delta Region, I have seen just how much 

underserved areas benefit from innovations such as telehealth 

technology, which facilitates getting crucial healthcare services to 

the people most in need of assistance,” USDA Rural Development 

Mississippi State Director Trina George said.

“By working with community leaders like the Delta Health Alliance, 

we can continue to successfully provide the services that the 

community needs.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $151,146,474 32 $20,017,000 4 $12,248,000 2 $183,411,474 38

IRP $0 0 $600,000 1 $0 0 $600,000 1

Renewable Energy $6,107,382 196 $1,910,913 33 $885,637 31 $8,903,932 260

Business Grants $4,527,584 61 $533,919 6 $636,000 5 $5,697,503 72

REDLG $21,535,000 28 $4,000,000 2 $0 0 $25,535,000 30

VAPG $546,826 6 $749,952 5 $0 0 $1,296,778 11

SFH Direct $173,175,984 1,870 $26,878,910 263 $35,124,214 311 $235,179,109 2,444

SFH Guaranteed $2,053,288,657 16,796 $321,838,099 2,562 $330,715,711 2,603 $2,705,842,467 21,961

SFH Repairs $15,244,293 2,203 $2,230,563 312 $2,537,072 340 $20,011,929 2,855

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,322,435 10 $68,053 2 $653,708 2 $3,044,196 14

MFH Direct $4,531,483 13 $0 0 $0 0 $4,531,483 13

MFH Guaranteed $1,529,000 6 $0 0 $6,390,000 1 $7,919,000 7

Farm Labor Housing $6,099,267 5 $0 0 $0 0 $6,099,267 5

Rental Assistance $226,113,756 1,804 $43,992,216 342 $53,253,438 404 $323,359,410 2,550

CF Direct $81,653,386 38 $0 0 $97,745,000 8 $179,398,386 46

CF Guaranteed $10,000,000 1 $0 0 $8,755,000 1 $18,755,000 2

CF Grants $14,413,329 270 $451,600 17 $1,918,300 43 $16,783,229 330

WWD Direct $126,455,169 129 $23,348,167 17 $34,280,800 24 $184,084,136 170

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $327,500 1 $0 0 $327,500 1

WWD Grants $80,917,431 93 $11,655,960 14 $12,697,759 15 $105,271,150 122

Telecom $50,274,102 25 $1,670,836 3 $1,983,019 4 $53,927,957 32

Electric $1,479,999,000 17 $76,076,000 1 $138,676,000 2 $1,694,751,000 20

All Other Programs $105,630,588 66 $3,659,051 28 $3,999,588 62 $113,289,227 156

MISSISSIPPI TOTAL $4,615,511,146 23,669 $540,008,739 3,613 $742,499,246 3,858 $5,898,019,131 31,140

Ground-breaking at the Leland, MS, medical clinic. The clinic is using a 

$1 million grant from USDA to improve healthcare services for patients 

in the Mississippi Delta, including upgrades to its telehealth system.

Mississippi Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
42 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Missouri

Business Programs

New Initiative Shows How Much 

Partnerships Matter

USDA Rural Development in Missouri partnered with the 

Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) to spur economic 

growth in three very small rural communities in the State: 

Marshfield, Salem, and Sarcoxie. By working together, small towns 

can bring more positive changes to their community and region 

than they could on their own.

USDA Rural Development provided CFO—a public foundation 

serving residents of the Missouri Ozarks—with a $50,000 Rural 

Business Development Grant to fund its new “Growth in the Rural 

Ozarks” economic development initiative. Marshfield, Salem, and 

Sarcoxie are the first-ever communities to benefit from this new, 

USDA-funded CFO program.

CFO selected the three communities, all with populations of 

less than 8,000, through a competitive process. CFO will provide 

each town with an economic development professional to help 

community leaders promote job creation, entrepreneurship, 

and workforce development. The projects in Marshfield, Salem, 

and Sarcoxie will last 3 years. CFO expects assessment and 

development of economic development plans in the first year, and 

implementation afterwards.

“We can help build strong schools, and develop nonprofit capacity, 

but without economic opportunity, our smaller communities 

cannot grow and prosper,” CFO President Brian Fogle said.

The partnership between USDA Rural Development and the 

Community Foundation of the Ozarks is helping to improve the 

economy and quality of life for residents of these 3 small rural 

cities through new opportunities, resources, and networks.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $243,785,000 148 $62,634,700 38 $46,533,000 25 $352,952,700 211

IRP $4,387,500 8 $1,649,293 3 $425,000 1 $6,461,793 12

Renewable Energy $44,738,957 301 $7,003,997 107 $7,123,437 92 $58,866,391 500

Business Grants $5,472,779 134 $674,519 18 $610,000 18 $6,757,298 170

REDLG $12,976,000 23 $3,000,000 4 $3,700,000 5 $19,676,000 32

VAPG $4,044,386 38 $1,461,499 11 $2,136,150 15 $7,642,035 64

SFH Direct $222,973,065 2,452 $20,283,701 210 $16,710,319 153 $259,967,085 2,815

SFH Guaranteed $3,298,225,302 30,844 $579,163,672 5,019 $573,979,540 4,928 $4,451,368,514 40,791

SFH Repairs $9,810,626 2,120 $1,187,768 233 $1,078,034 202 $12,076,428 2,555

SFH Self-Help Grants $767,380 3 $0 0 $0 0 $767,380 3

MFH Direct $7,191,432 24 $1,745,730 2 $734,788 3 $9,671,950 29

MFH Guaranteed $3,129,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $3,129,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $107,346,096 2,233 $18,574,704 428 $27,066,256 526 $152,987,056 3,187

CF Direct $216,171,105 152 $24,969,400 30 $52,455,350 32 $293,595,855 214

CF Guaranteed $66,748,720 16 $0 0 $0 0 $66,748,720 16

CF Grants $14,718,892 432 $587,700 36 $875,757 40 $16,182,349 508

WWD Direct $235,132,330 207 $46,142,060 28 $33,156,000 20 $314,430,390 255

WWD Guaranteed $1,750,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,750,000 2

WWD Grants $110,647,173 197 $14,260,210 23 $16,625,710 18 $141,533,093 238

Telecom $214,779,386 56 $674,723 3 $0 0 $215,454,109 59

Electric $1,681,777,000 56 $286,386,000 6 $108,164,000 3 $2,076,327,000 65

All Other Programs $2,845,553 26 $1,137,124 497 $1,223,662 558 $5,206,340 1,081

MISSOURI TOTAL $6,509,417,682 39,473 $1,071,536,800 6,696 $892,597,003 6,639 $8,473,551,485 52,808

USDA Rural Development celebrates with Sarcoxie representatives. 

The town is one of three communities selected to participate in 

CFO’s new Growth in the Rural Ozarks initiative.

Missouri Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 43 

Montana

Community Programs

USDA StrikeForce Initiative Helps 

Prairie County Hospital

Prairie County is located in the badlands and rolling hills of eastern 

Montana. The county is home to 1,179 residents, many of whom 

have made farming and ranching their way of life. Economically, 

the county is in persistent poverty and was identified by the 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to receive intensive community 

outreach and technical assistance from USDA under the StrikeForce 

for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative.

USDA Rural Development, in partnership with Eastern Plains 

Economic Development Corporation, helped the Prairie County 

Hospital fund essential system upgrades to ensure that this 

critical care facility can continue to meet the healthcare needs of 

local families. USDA Rural Development provided $19.1 million in 

Community Facilities loan and grant assistance through StrikeForce

for the project.

The hospital—in Terry, MT, the county seat—is in dire need of a 

new boiler and other mechanical and electrical system upgrades, 

such as HVAC and fire suppression systems. The project will 

support all the improvements needed to help keep the hospital 

operating continuously and avoid closure.

Although most of this project will be invisible to the public, the 

upgrades will allow hospital staff to provide care with a higher 

degree of confidence, relieving the daily stress of wondering when, 

or which, system will fail, and provide a greater degree of comfort 

to patients. The project will also ensure that the hospital is fully 

compliant with State regulations.

The hospital has 22 long-term-care beds and provides 24-hour 

emergency care. It has operated at a 91-percent occupancy rate for the 

past 5 years. It is one of the largest employers in Prairie County.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $76,021,898 24 $16,639,850 10 $10,500,000 3 $103,161,748 37

IRP $5,971,000 11 $852,000 2 $1,500,000 2 $8,323,000 15

Renewable Energy $1,670,165 54 $747,609 34 $518,168 25 $2,935,942 113

Business Grants $3,715,948 90 $184,000 8 $192,000 10 $4,091,948 108

REDLG $2,399,872 7 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $3,399,872 8

VAPG $374,270 8 $0 0 $235,689 1 $609,959 9

SFH Direct $115,584,512 796 $7,136,742 50 $8,139,102 52 $130,860,356 898

SFH Guaranteed $1,146,058,765 7,361 $196,910,955 1,144 $156,922,358 889 $1,499,892,078 9,394

SFH Repairs $1,141,613 205 $135,122 24 $75,105 12 $1,351,840 241

SFH Self-Help Grants $4,096,406 11 $531,900 1 $907,060 2 $5,535,366 14

MFH Direct $4,690,799 11 $0 0 $0 0 $4,690,799 11

MFH Guaranteed $1,455,597 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,455,597 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $33,571,548 559 $5,813,472 102 $8,343,272 134 $47,728,292 795

CF Direct $41,106,550 31 $9,950,000 1 $22,006,800 9 $73,063,350 41

CF Guaranteed $39,450,000 7 $1,150,000 1 $4,545,000 1 $45,145,000 9

CF Grants $9,567,687 83 $1,299,632 12 $1,305,330 18 $12,172,649 113

WWD Direct $82,733,000 71 $22,707,000 12 $32,189,000 18 $137,629,000 101

WWD Guaranteed $2,923,200 3 $0 0 $2,534,000 1 $5,457,200 4

WWD Grants $75,668,736 90 $8,201,325 13 $13,211,466 19 $97,081,527 122

Telecom $359,830,061 25 $30,311,931 3 $30,687,110 5 $420,829,102 33

Electric $133,610,000 16 $20,000,000 2 $15,606,000 1 $169,216,000 19

All Other Programs $16,729,433 44 $3,001,432 52 $3,498,376 70 $23,229,241 166

MONTANA TOTAL $2,158,371,060 9,508 $325,572,970 1,471 $313,915,836 1,273 $2,797,859,865 12,252

Prairie County Hospital is making essential mechanical and electrical 

system improvements to ensure that it can continue to provide quality 

healthcare for area residents.

Montana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
44 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Nebraska

Community Programs

Bringing Better Healthcare to Rural Nebraska

The Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC), originally built 

in 1953, had outgrown its space and was landlocked. Further, 

sporadic additions and construction over the years had made the 

hospital less efficient. The board of directors determined that they 

needed a new hospital facility to continue to provide proper care 

for their patients.

USDA Rural Development provided a $32 million Community 

Facilities Direct Loan for a new, state-of-the-art, 120,000-square-foot 

hospital on 20 acres in Sidney. It includes 25 private acute-care rooms, 

3 high-tech surgical suites, a 6-room emergency department, 

specialty clinics, and diagnostic imaging facilities. The grand 

opening was in December 2015.

Community leaders partnered with USDA to help make 

this project—the largest to date for Rural Development in 

Nebraska—a reality. SRMC contributed more than $11 million, and 

Cheyenne County contributed $10 million, to fund the total project 

cost of $53 million. The new hospital will serve approximately 

12,000 rural clients from Sidney and the surrounding area in the 

southern Nebraska panhandle. The project also created 36 new 

healthcare jobs and saved 265 jobs for local workers.

“This hospital is critical to the sustainability of this entire 

community,” USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director 

Maxine Moul said at the grand opening. “People will want to come 

here because they will have quick access to care that is top notch.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $127,492,459 73 $8,957,125 5 $31,222,838 6 $167,672,422 84

IRP $2,048,558 5 $0 0 $500,000 1 $2,548,558 6

Renewable Energy $30,597,371 718 $2,497,499 78 $1,934,435 60 $35,029,305 856

Business Grants $3,946,946 55 $366,489 8 $905,109 11 $5,218,544 74

REDLG $7,010,619 18 $300,000 1 $848,400 3 $8,159,019 22

VAPG $1,663,307 14 $320,136 6 $1,385,401 17 $3,368,844 37

SFH Direct $48,129,726 650 $2,107,129 26 $3,004,356 35 $53,241,211 711

SFH Guaranteed $634,290,093 6,772 $103,082,934 1,030 $97,134,658 949 $834,507,685 8,751

SFH Repairs $2,498,370 455 $96,118 17 $62,276 11 $2,656,764 483

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $3,379,066 19 $485,925 2 $0 0 $3,864,991 21

MFH Guaranteed $807,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $807,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $37,671,600 676 $5,758,368 105 $8,251,751 149 $51,681,719 930

CF Direct $194,865,200 57 $8,807,900 3 $34,337,900 9 $238,011,000 69

CF Guaranteed $56,895,000 11 $6,100,000 1 $1,744,000 1 $64,739,000 13

CF Grants $3,653,820 84 $298,700 6 $741,200 18 $4,693,720 108

WWD Direct $58,762,500 68 $7,952,000 8 $10,864,500 15 $77,579,000 91

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $33,777,500 70 $2,990,600 16 $5,241,400 22 $42,009,500 108

Telecom $153,195,502 34 $4,219,000 2 $309,807 2 $157,724,309 38

Electric $27,619,000 3 $7,919,000 1 $0 0 $35,538,000 4

All Other Programs $4,403,036 31 $1,014,358 132 $1,097,810 134 $6,515,205 297

NEBRASKA TOTAL $1,432,706,674 9,814 $163,273,281 1,447 $199,585,841 1,443 $1,795,565,796 12,704

USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Vernita Dore presents a 

commemorative plaque to SRMC CEO Jason Petik at the grand opening.

Nebraska Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 45 

Nevada

Business Programs

High-Tech Firm Comes to Nevada 

to “Get the Lead Out”

Aqua Metals is getting the lead out—the company developed 

a clean, environmentally friendly process to recycle used lead 

acid batteries. The company’s innovative process, that replaces 

traditional lead smelting, can reduce pollution and change lead 

battery recycling for good. But, the firm needed help to launch 

operations on a commercial scale.

USDA Rural Development partnered with lender Green Bank 

to provide Aqua Metals with a $10 million Business & Industry 

guaranteed loan for its “AquaRefinery” recycling facility. Company 

leaders chose the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, in Storey County, 

NV, just west of Reno, as the location for their start-up enterprise. 

The county is known for encouraging business development. 

Additionally, the industrial center has not only attracted other 

high-tech industries, but a large regional battery distributor, a 

source of used batteries, is located nearby.

The total cost of the Aqua Metals refinery was about $33.5 million.

Company leaders saw USDA as a great resource for business 

capital. “We will have more opportunities to work with USDA 

at additional sites as we intend to build multiple plants,” Steve 

Cotton, Aqua Metals Chief Commercial Officer, said. “Further, we 

saw opportunities to work with USDA to offer other programs such 

as affordable housing as we build our employee base.”

Aqua Metals opened its new 138,000-square-foot lead recycling 

facility in July 2016 and is scaling up its processing capacity. 

The company expects to have 40 new employees working at 

the facility by year-end, and to create another 30 jobs by 2018. 

The company is already planning for expansion and is seeking a 

location for its next regional facility.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $59,896,840 25 $12,841,000 3 $27,989,500 6 $100,727,340 34

IRP $1,700,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,700,000 2

Renewable Energy $1,136,788 55 $761,439 15 $139,691 4 $2,037,918 74

Business Grants $1,959,687 45 $273,940 6 $257,676 7 $2,491,303 58

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $129,251 4 $0 0 $99,499 2 $228,750 6

SFH Direct $57,209,263 408 $7,920,619 47 $6,511,566 41 $71,641,448 496

SFH Guaranteed $607,709,704 3,885 $118,377,881 626 $109,314,236 551 $835,401,821 5,062

SFH Repairs $1,434,511 262 $158,063 32 $108,413 24 $1,700,987 318

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,058,832 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,058,832 3

MFH Direct $577,613 4 $0 0 $1,736,250 4 $2,313,863 8

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $1,560,620 1 $1,300,000 1 $2,860,620 2

Farm Labor Housing $31,171 1 $0 0 $0 0 $31,171 1

Rental Assistance $48,468,660 313 $9,023,952 55 $11,031,062 64 $68,523,674 432

CF Direct $25,442,959 18 $802,000 1 $15,835,300 6 $42,080,259 25

CF Guaranteed $2,448,922 1 $0 0 $0 0 $2,448,922 1

CF Grants $1,302,540 49 $150,400 8 $238,286 12 $1,691,226 69

WWD Direct $33,015,587 20 $10,341,000 4 $18,195,000 2 $61,551,587 26

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $18,695,634 30 $17,276,225 7 $2,402,589 2 $38,374,448 39

Telecom $20,119,688 10 $377,772 1 $1,361,542 3 $21,859,002 14

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $109,084,202 20 $126,862 5 $101,070 5 $109,312,133 30

NEVADA TOTAL $991,421,852 5,155 $179,991,772 811 $196,621,679 734 $1,368,035,304 6,700

USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers (left)

tours the new Aqua Metals facility that was supported through the 

USDA Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.

Nevada Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
46 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

New Hampshire

Community Programs

Rural Community Comes Together 

to Build Clinic

A low-interest loan from USDA Rural Development is enabling 

the community of Mascoma, NH, to bring comprehensive 

healthcare services to patients in an area that currently suffers 

from a lack of facilities.

The project is the result of a collaboration by residents of five 

local towns, who came together in 2013 to establish Mascoma 

Community Healthcare, Inc. Its goal was a clinic that served all 

residents in need, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. The 

organization raised over half a million dollars to support the 

project and obtained a plot of land central to the region so that no 

client would need to travel excessive distances to reach healthcare. 

It also created an operating plan for the health center that would 

manage its growth from an initial 11-staff-person operation 

serving 2,500 patients, to a federally qualified health center 

employing 44 health service professionals and serving 8,000 

community members.

The main financing for the project came from a $3.4 million 

USDA Rural Development Community Facilities loan. With 

USDA’s assistance, this rural New Hampshire community is 

constructing and equipping a 13,280-square-foot clinic that, when 

complete, will provide medical, mental health, dental care, x-ray, 

pharmaceutical, and physical therapy services to patients across 

the region.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $28,847,420 12 $2,000,000 3 $5,000,000 1 $35,847,420 16

IRP $4,525,000 9 $500,000 1 $0 0 $5,025,000 10

Renewable Energy $3,669,307 84 $1,332,526 42 $728,109 33 $5,729,943 159

Business Grants $2,073,377 45 $212,795 5 $174,000 7 $2,460,172 57

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $748,381 7 $95,740 3 $163,136 1 $1,007,257 11

SFH Direct $94,779,196 671 $9,038,645 72 $14,257,265 106 $118,075,106 849

SFH Guaranteed $914,622,899 5,493 $146,878,294 827 $117,359,433 666 $1,178,860,626 6,986

SFH Repairs $3,742,760 566 $774,514 114 $719,557 111 $5,236,831 791

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $15,600,045 28 $12,061,073 9 $7,327,855 8 $34,988,973 45

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $61,205,044 432 $12,370,200 74 $15,023,875 96 $88,599,119 602

CF Direct $17,095,500 11 $4,883,000 3 $38,613,000 10 $60,591,500 24

CF Guaranteed $5,207,800 8 $0 0 $0 0 $5,207,800 8

CF Grants $2,569,553 98 $423,200 13 $373,700 18 $3,366,453 129

WWD Direct $68,533,000 31 $7,707,000 4 $6,160,000 6 $82,400,000 41

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $50,776,457 47 $5,971,300 7 $4,740,919 15 $61,488,676 69

Telecom $3,962,137 8 $919,179 2 $5,473,000 1 $10,354,316 11

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $500,000 11 $109,100 15 $110,206 13 $719,306 39

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOTAL $1,278,457,876 7,561 $205,276,566 1,194 $216,224,055 1,092 $1,699,958,498 9,847

Mascoma Valley residents celebrated the ground-breaking 

for their new community health center in May 2016.

New Hampshire Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 47 

New Jersey

Water and Environmental Programs

USDA Helps Bring Safe, Clean Water to the 

Borough of Woodbine

USDA Rural Development awarded $2 million in loans and grants 

to help the Woodbine Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) 

upgrade the Borough of Woodbine’s aging water system.

WMUA will use the funds to make critical repairs and improvements 

to the borough’s existing water treatment and distribution 

system, which has been in operation for over 40 years. Most of the 

equipment has reached the end of its useful lifespan and needs to 

be replaced. The renovations will also help ensure that the facility 

meets present-day State and Federal environmental requirements 

to better protect the health and safety of local residents.

The Borough of Woodbine has high poverty and unemployment 

and is one of New Jersey’s most distressed municipalities. USDA 

Rural Development is targeting assistance to the borough through 

our Community Economic Development initiative which focuses on 

regional approaches to reduce rural poverty. This project will not 

only improve the water quality and natural environment, but it will 

also create local jobs while helping the local economy.

As construction costs keep rising throughout the Garden 

State, small rural communities—especially ones struggling 

economically—could not take on the cost of large infrastructure 

projects without affordable financing. USDA Rural Development 

partners with local organizations to extend the reach of our 

programs and make more projects possible. USDA Rural 

Development and the Borough of Woodbine partnered with the 

New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, which is providing 

additional financing for this project.

Thanks to this collaboration between USDA, borough leaders, and 

State partners, rural residents in Woodbine will benefit from a 

modern, safe water treatment system.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $24,195,680 9 $10,000,000 1 $0 0 $34,195,680 10

IRP $1,948,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,948,000 3

Renewable Energy $6,531,084 72 $990,556 10 $499,000 15 $8,020,640 97

Business Grants $1,232,548 19 $156,000 3 $166,000 5 $1,554,548 27

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $626,582 10 $550,000 5 $733,978 4 $1,910,560 19

SFH Direct $69,117,396 404 $10,315,309 66 $8,491,362 53 $87,924,067 523

SFH Guaranteed $1,182,710,007 6,619 $168,299,923 978 $113,928,515 668 $1,464,938,445 8,265

SFH Repairs $841,441 137 $94,460 14 $167,849 23 $1,103,750 174

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $18,679,485 16 $0 0 $393,883 1 $19,073,368 17

MFH Guaranteed $4,999,999 1 $0 0 $2,199,943 1 $7,199,942 2

Farm Labor Housing $325,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $325,000 1

Rental Assistance $53,240,192 288 $8,956,512 50 $12,184,584 66 $74,381,288 404

CF Direct $26,600,000 32 $35,000 1 $15,313,500 9 $41,948,500 42

CF Guaranteed $3,490,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $3,490,000 2

CF Grants $1,980,206 47 $154,000 5 $266,400 8 $2,400,606 60

WWD Direct $83,510,500 52 $10,466,000 5 $14,329,000 6 $108,305,500 63

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $36,391,697 53 $2,900,000 6 $3,523,000 8 $42,814,697 67

Telecom $318,464 2 $0 0 $0 0 $318,464 2

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $1,953,466 16 $431,721 41 $389,978 41 $2,775,166 98

NEW JERSEY TOTAL $1,518,691,747 7,783 $213,349,481 1,185 $172,586,992 908 $1,904,628,220 9,876

USDA and other Federal, State, and local leaders join residents in celebrating 

recent funding to help the Borough of Woodbine upgrade its failing water 

treatment system.

New Jersey Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
48 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

New Mexico

Energy Programs

Leveraging the New Mexico Sunshine 

to Benefit Rural Businesses

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program 

(REAP) helps finance renewable energy systems and energy 

efficiency improvements for rural small businesses and agricultural 

producers. Nine businesses and farms in and around Taos, NM, 

received REAP assistance for improvements that have reduced 

their energy footprint, their dependence on traditional fossil 

fuel-based sources of energy, and reduced the impact on the 

environment—all at the same time.

For example, Angel Fire Dentistry installed an 8.1 kW (kilowatt) 

photovoltaic solar panel array on the roof of the office that is just 

shy of meeting all of the clinic’s energy needs. Black Mesa Winery 

used a REAP grant to install low-energy Light Emitting Diode (LED) 

fixtures and bulbs and upgrade the lighting at their winery tasting 

room. And in Peñasco, NM, owner Alessandra Ogren installed a 

4 kW photovoltaic system atop the local theater that’s completely 

covering its energy needs.

Several artisans leveraged the REAP, too. Joanne Dekeuster installed 

a solar power system for her Taos pottery gallery, Enchanted Circle 

Pottery. In Arroyo Seco, Amanda Stepleford replaced nearly all of her 

electricity use with a 5.4 kW solar panel array at her ceramic studio. 

In El Prado, potter Logan Wannamaker is getting all of his power 

through a new, nearly 10 kW solar panel system at his clay studio.

Elsewhere, REAP-financed solar panels are powering the well 

pump and pig barn on Lanny and Tammy Kuykendall’s farm, and 

completely powering apple producer Patrick Montoya’s family 

orchard. In San Cristobal, organic farmer Elizabeth Vom Dorp 

installed photovoltaic solar panels and energy-efficient space 

heaters at 10 cabins on her property, as well as an energy-efficient 

hot water boiler.

All told, the nine New Mexico enterprises received about $102,250 

through USDA Rural Development’s REAP. The energy savings are 

not just boosting these businesses’ bottom line: the cleaner, greener 

operations are also benefitting the communities they call home.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $63,988,821 25 $8,429,250 4 $14,122,589 8 $86,540,660 37

IRP $567,000 2 $250,000 1 $600,000 2 $1,417,000 5

Renewable Energy $2,607,993 82 $1,193,530 36 $2,125,375 22 $5,926,898 140

Business Grants $3,332,569 43 $574,146 9 $386,085 14 $4,292,800 66

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $1,028,927 11 $708,590 6 $768,261 6 $2,505,778 23

SFH Direct $65,599,813 540 $15,332,350 117 $11,515,295 82 $92,447,458 739

SFH Guaranteed $300,220,495 2,141 $50,478,708 361 $34,985,273 242 $385,684,476 2,744

SFH Repairs $2,497,525 353 $458,061 62 $490,111 65 $3,445,698 480

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,739,085 5 $1,421,677 4 $0 0 $3,160,762 9

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $1,949,000 5 $1,791,000 1 $5,075,000 1 $8,815,000 7

Farm Labor Housing $5,759,848 3 $0 0 $0 0 $5,759,848 3

Rental Assistance $78,693,105 509 $15,977,240 91 $18,599,644 106 $113,269,989 706

CF Direct $72,944,441 30 $503,400 4 $0 0 $73,447,841 34

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $3,301,909 48 $347,200 5 $450,440 5 $4,099,549 58

WWD Direct $64,413,042 50 $7,249,000 3 $1,788,000 4 $73,450,042 57

WWD Guaranteed $84,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $84,000 1

WWD Grants $113,200,590 154 $17,086,672 9 $10,662,100 10 $140,949,362 173

Telecom $191,454,763 34 $5,835,715 2 $14,430,019 3 $211,720,497 39

Electric $372,087,000 17 $53,428,000 2 $0 0 $425,515,000 19

All Other Programs $62,373,278 30 $3,141,499 41 $1,688,259 40 $67,203,035 111

NEW MEXICO TOTAL $1,407,843,204 4,083 $184,206,038 758 $117,686,451 610 $1,709,735,693 5,451

The nine business owners gathered together in Taos, NM, in January 2016 to 

celebrate USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program.

New Mexico Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 49 

New York

Business Programs

USDA Helps Revive Oneida County 

Bottled Water Company

In November 2015, Wade Abraham and Paul Rayhill, two business 

partners from central New York, became the new owners of a 

bottled water company in Forestport, NY, after they successfully 

bid on it at a Federal Bankruptcy Court auction.

“We were awarded it on November 20th, started managing it the 

week of Thanksgiving, closed the loan on December 30th, and 

we’ve been running it since,” Rayhill said.

The company, now known as Alder Creek Beverage, bottles and sells 

pristine spring water from wells on the property in the Adirondack 

Mountain foothills. USDA Rural Development partnered with 

Adirondack Bank to provide Abraham and Rayhill with a $7.5 million 

Business & Industry loan guarantee to purchase the plant and 

keep the business going. This saved 50 jobs in an economically 

challenged community where many locals have lost jobs as the 

forestry industry realigns. Their bidding competitors at the auction 

intended to sell the business assets and close the facility.

Abraham and Rayhill are committed to keeping and restoring 

jobs in the area, which sorely needs them. They are aggressively 

building their customer base, adding jobs at the plant, and 

improving their bottom line.

Today, Alder Creek Beverage is doing well as the new owners 

fine-tune operations. Every day, countless newly molded bottles 

stream overhead and snake through the production line to be 

filled, packaged, and whisked away to waiting delivery trucks. The 

plant employees take great pride in their work and want to see 

Alder Creek Beverage grow and compete as one of the best-tasting 

spring water providers in the world.

Thanks to USDA Rural Development, two rural entrepreneurs are 

succeeding and providing quality jobs for local workers. Abraham 

and Rayhill are planning to start a second production line that will 

create 10 more new jobs at the plant.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $261,142,647 126 $13,309,400 9 $18,613,000 8 $293,065,047 143

IRP $5,722,000 11 $0 0 $420,573 1 $6,142,573 12

Renewable Energy $8,836,999 355 $3,019,914 90 $891,454 38 $12,748,367 483

Business Grants $7,717,368 90 $1,075,768 14 $1,170,769 17 $9,963,905 121

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $2,948,541 38 $3,315,819 28 $2,579,655 16 $8,844,015 82

SFH Direct $121,462,134 1,167 $18,222,297 147 $16,417,530 137 $156,101,961 1,451

SFH Guaranteed $1,304,090,409 11,379 $232,789,089 1,958 $200,029,528 1,656 $1,736,909,026 14,993

SFH Repairs $7,280,047 1,305 $928,457 173 $1,128,650 207 $9,337,154 1,685

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $26,939,157 46 $10,541,325 13 $1,339,999 2 $38,820,481 61

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $118,786,399 1,105 $23,821,284 211 $32,883,324 265 $175,491,007 1,581

CF Direct $89,459,670 101 $6,601,000 16 $44,617,100 24 $140,677,770 141

CF Guaranteed $22,568,400 7 $0 0 $0 0 $22,568,400 7

CF Grants $6,335,944 111 $878,800 16 $1,355,700 23 $8,570,444 150

WWD Direct $242,796,000 192 $27,166,000 18 $23,306,500 18 $293,268,500 228

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $156,294,911 206 $11,817,000 29 $8,213,000 26 $176,324,911 261

Telecom $64,795,912 42 $482,183 2 $221,780 1 $65,499,875 45

Electric $20,532,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $20,532,000 4

All Other Programs $6,379,244 46 $968,888 122 $933,237 114 $8,281,369 282

NEW YORK TOTAL $2,474,087,782 16,331 $354,937,224 2,846 $354,121,800 2,553 $3,183,146,806 21,730

Bottled water streams off the production line at Alder Creek Beverage.

New York Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
50 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

North Carolina

Housing Programs

USDA Helps Increase Affordable Rental Housing 

in Pittsboro

Chatham County, NC, contains pockets of poverty even though its 

income ranks in the top five for the State. This fact alone presents 

challenges for lower income residents seeking affordable housing. 

But a new apartment complex, Bellemont Pointe Apartments, in 

Pittsboro, NC, has helped to relieve the shortage of rental housing 

for these local families.

USDA Rural Development partnered with Carolina Bank, Solstice 

Partners, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Community 

Affordable Housing Equity Corporation, and GEM Management 

to develop and finance the housing complex. USDA provided a 

guarantee on a $10.5 million loan made by Carolina Bank to build 

the new complex for low- to moderate-income tenants. The grand 

opening was in July 2016.

One local resident became disabled and is unable to work in her 

field of education. She says that finding affordable housing was 

difficult, but living in Bellemont Pointe Apartments means that she 

can start over and get back on her feet again.

Just 3 months after opening, the complex was fully occupied, with 

a waiting list of 87 individuals and families. The 76-unit property 

features one-, two- and three-bedroom units, a community 

center, computer room, fitness center, covered picnic area, and 

playground.

In FY 2016, USDA has invested more than $35 million for 19 rural 

rental housing projects in North Carolina through the Multi-Family 

Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $318,399,023 152 $55,408,600 23 $41,927,054 24 $415,734,677 199

IRP $5,577,480 9 $326,067 1 $839,627 2 $6,743,174 12

Renewable Energy $97,496,268 522 $153,066,364 128 $114,134,476 76 $364,697,109 726

Business Grants $7,271,794 99 $858,700 13 $932,000 6 $9,062,494 118

REDLG $31,750,500 45 $6,493,231 16 $8,204,767 22 $46,448,498 83

VAPG $2,818,992 23 $619,579 6 $1,375,245 12 $4,813,816 41

SFH Direct $310,051,214 2,375 $49,010,396 359 $59,797,948 388 $418,859,557 3,122

SFH Guaranteed $5,811,563,964 42,281 $941,430,795 6,666 $841,365,433 5,810 $7,594,360,192 54,757

SFH Repairs $17,835,620 2,859 $3,318,470 480 $3,405,726 522 $24,559,816 3,861

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,904,549 15 $1,085,727 4 $0 0 $4,990,276 19

MFH Direct $79,836,060 68 $10,965,363 11 $15,303,475 15 $106,104,898 94

MFH Guaranteed $21,982,267 19 $4,875,257 3 $39,566,129 23 $66,423,653 45

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $342,695,426 2,493 $69,932,737 473 $88,358,782 571 $500,986,945 3,537

CF Direct $485,423,601 278 $74,674,900 39 $150,169,050 55 $710,267,551 372

CF Guaranteed $83,813,631 22 $4,600,000 2 $18,301,018 7 $106,714,649 31

CF Grants $17,982,336 241 $1,037,066 25 $1,442,700 33 $20,462,102 299

WWD Direct $311,928,004 137 $24,584,000 15 $41,661,800 21 $378,173,804 173

WWD Guaranteed $20,823,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $20,823,000 6

WWD Grants $135,330,832 108 $14,961,475 23 $10,835,781 24 $161,128,088 155

Telecom $153,555,382 30 $0 0 $1,257,630 5 $154,813,012 35

Electric $1,143,134,000 43 $141,860,000 10 $277,600,000 9 $1,562,594,000 62

All Other Programs $111,060,109 68 $761,179 71 $2,505,049 70 $114,326,336 209

NORTH CAROLINA TOTAL $9,514,234,052 51,893 $1,559,869,905 8,368 $1,718,983,689 7,695 $12,793,087,647 67,956

Bellemont Point Apartments, a new, affordable multi-family housing 

complex in rural Pittsboro, NC.

North Carolina Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 51 

North Dakota

Community Programs

Serving More Rural Families with 

Expanded Child Care Center

Like many rural communities across North Dakota, Casselton, a 

town of 2,500 people, is struggling with a lack of childcare services. 

In an effort to combat this childcare shortage, the Sonshine Center 

recently expanded by building a new daycare and preschool facility.

“We always have a long waiting list,” said Sonshine Co-Director 

Jessica Hoglund. “With the completion of our new building, and 

as we hire more staff, we will be able to provide care for more 

children and continue to reduce our wait list.”

With a $969,300 Community Facilities loan from USDA Rural 

Development, the center built a 5,400-square-foot facility with 

the capacity to accommodate up to 88 children from 6-weeks- to 

12-years-old. The daycare opened in May 2016, the culmination of 

years of planning and hard work.

Sonshine previously served 60 children from leased space from 

a local motel and a school-owned facility. This created logistical 

issues for families with multiple children during pick-ups and 

drop-offs. It was also difficult for Sonshine to provide meals at 

both locations.

The new facility solves all of those issues by bringing the 

children and all the amenities together under one roof. The more 

convenient, efficient building—ideally located near Casselton’s 

city’s park, swimming pool, and library—has secure access, a large, 

commercial kitchen, and a 5,000-square-foot outdoor play area 

with playground equipment.

Hoglund said that the new facility would not have been possible 

without the USDA financing, which accounted for more than 

80 percent of the construction costs.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $113,415,465 54 $11,852,841 4 $18,087,864 4 $143,356,170 62

IRP $1,810,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,810,000 5

Renewable Energy $3,530,201 85 $461,045 13 $458,773 16 $4,450,019 114

Business Grants $3,985,475 56 $1,612,074 14 $717,217 11 $6,314,766 81

REDLG $19,894,168 29 $0 0 $3,000,000 3 $22,894,168 32

VAPG $210,825 4 $124,182 3 $250,000 1 $585,007 8

SFH Direct $37,295,062 312 $3,892,074 27 $3,321,179 22 $44,508,315 361

SFH Guaranteed $304,827,763 2,419 $56,919,262 401 $46,719,530 322 $408,466,555 3,142

SFH Repairs $2,044,407 324 $131,040 19 $160,143 22 $2,335,590 365

SFH Self-Help Grants $10,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $10,000 1

MFH Direct $4,963,854 20 $0 0 $0 0 $4,963,854 20

MFH Guaranteed $26,777,939 8 $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $27,777,939 9

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $24,948,996 414 $4,020,192 77 $6,686,562 103 $35,655,750 594

CF Direct $132,250,657 50 $19,730,550 7 $62,811,500 10 $214,792,707 67

CF Guaranteed $46,534,898 18 $10,300,000 1 $600,000 1 $57,434,898 20

CF Grants $5,599,128 63 $940,900 10 $1,089,000 12 $7,629,028 85

WWD Direct $78,732,749 65 $9,747,369 11 $16,076,000 8 $104,556,118 84

WWD Guaranteed $1,750,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,750,000 2

WWD Grants $50,075,707 57 $3,826,500 8 $8,100,753 10 $62,002,960 75

Telecom $376,653,068 39 $60,328,612 5 $55,279,000 2 $492,260,680 46

Electric $2,447,440,000 42 $116,147,000 4 $65,975,000 1 $2,629,562,000 47

All Other Programs $5,247,289 27 $623,720 60 $604,707 89 $6,475,716 176

NORTH DAKOTA TOTAL $3,687,997,651 4,094 $301,657,361 665 $289,937,228 637 $4,279,592,239 5,396

Infants play at the new Sonshine Center daycare.

North Dakota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
52 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Ohio

Community Programs

USDA Loan Helps Move Property From 

Vacant to Valuable

The largest Community Facilities loan in the history of Ohio Rural 

Development—more than $91 million—is helping shepherd 

modern healthcare services to Ohio’s heartland and breathing new 

life into an abandoned department store.

Avita Health System is on the leading edge of a trend USDA 

expects to see more of in the future: the repurposing of valuable, 

viable real estate that resurrects vacant shopping malls and other 

forgotten spaces along America’s rural corridors.

Located in the Mansfield suburb of Ontario in the circa-1970s 

Richland Mall, the nearly 198,000 square-foot facility will include 

a new inpatient hospital, and surgical and intensive care units as 

well as an emergency services department along with support 

clinics and laboratories.

With two critical-access hospitals and dozens of offices serving 

the area, Avita’s work in north-central Ohio already is impressive. 

The company has brought meaningful employment to an area 

sandwiched between the Farm Belt and the Rust Belt, employing 

more than 50 physicians and nearly a thousand Ohioans. About 

$68.7 million in Community Facilities funds are targeted for 

the building conversion itself, with the balance going toward 

equipment purchases.

The project contributes to the rebirth of a region that got the wind 

knocked out of it when a major manufacturer—General Motors’ 

Fisher Body Stamping Plant—declared bankruptcy during the 

Great Recession.

When completed in January 2017, the Ontario Avita project is 

anticipated to create more than 350 new jobs and will provide 

healthcare to nearly 125,000 residents in north-central Ohio.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $267,662,635 98 $34,957,000 7 $44,706,855 13 $347,326,490 118

IRP $2,709,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $2,709,000 6

Renewable Energy $52,686,912 371 $3,067,910 85 $2,616,518 41 $58,371,340 497

Business Grants $6,861,202 62 $729,000 8 $761,550 12 $8,351,752 82

REDLG $1,872,926 2 $0 0 $200,000 1 $2,072,926 3

VAPG $973,538 11 $199,227 5 $188,559 2 $1,361,324 18

SFH Direct $206,800,551 1,905 $20,367,532 197 $21,900,270 204 $249,068,353 2,306

SFH Guaranteed $2,769,262,153 26,422 $557,192,812 5,085 $499,196,783 4,515 $3,825,651,748 36,022

SFH Repairs $8,237,803 1,681 $1,236,530 216 $1,679,524 331 $11,153,857 2,228

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,361,030 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,361,030 3

MFH Direct $37,582,763 64 $1,294,655 8 $2,872,762 4 $41,750,180 76

MFH Guaranteed $20,956,295 22 $4,941,335 6 $3,725,000 3 $29,622,630 31

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $131,344,584 1,645 $24,861,817 310 $31,121,665 360 $187,328,066 2,315

CF Direct $83,529,125 82 $92,227,200 20 $70,954,500 29 $246,710,825 131

CF Guaranteed $16,900,500 8 $0 0 $0 0 $16,900,500 8

CF Grants $4,415,937 90 $540,000 11 $1,318,063 19 $6,274,000 120

WWD Direct $157,284,000 72 $27,900,000 11 $44,561,000 16 $229,745,000 99

WWD Guaranteed $11,000,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $11,000,000 2

WWD Grants $108,538,710 77 $12,133,300 15 $14,041,805 17 $134,713,815 109

Telecom $46,015,971 33 $248,649 1 $391,886 2 $46,656,506 36

Electric $360,965,000 24 $34,500,000 3 $53,600,000 4 $449,065,000 31

All Other Programs $8,134,051 53 $1,109,372 104 $1,830,464 159 $11,073,887 316

OHIO TOTAL $4,305,094,686 32,733 $817,506,339 6,092 $795,667,203 5,732 $5,918,268,228 44,557

USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Vernita Dore at the 

grand opening of the new Avita Health System facility in Ontario, OH.

Ohio Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 53 

Oklahoma

Business and Community Programs

Culture, History, and Partnerships Leveraged 

to Revitalize African-American Community

Rentiesville is one of 50 rural “black towns” that emerged in Indian 

Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the post-Civil War era as AfricanAmericans sought to escape persecution and build new lives.

Today Rentiesville is a very small rural community—of about 

130 people—with historic and cultural assets that provide distinct 

opportunities to reverse decades of decline and poverty. It’s home 

to a major Civil War battlefield; blues legend D.C. Minner; scholar 

and civil rights leader John Hope Franklin; and the region’s largest 

blues festival.

In an effort to increase economic opportunity in Rentiesville, USDA 

Rural Development worked with a broad, diverse range of partners 

to develop amenities and attractions to capitalize on the town’s 

cultural and historic assets and lure visitors off the nearby interstate 

highway. USDA led the effort to encourage cooperation between 

community institutions and coordinate the strategic planning to 

identify projects and potential resources to build them.

Central to Rentiesville’s revival is the new Honey Springs Battlefield 

Visitor’s Center, the result of a multi-million-dollar partnership 

between USDA Rural Development; two other Federal agencies, 

two State agencies; the Chickasaw Nation; McIntosh County; 

philanthropists; and local businesses and nonprofits. The U.S. 

National Park Service estimates 150,000 visitors and $9 million 

annually in revenue from the project.

To help Rentiesville capture even more tourist dollars, USDA 

Rural Development partnered with the regional development 

organization and the Muscogee Nation to help town leaders 

construct historically inspired cottages to provide lodging for 

local visitors. USDA also partnered with the local rural electric 

cooperative to preserve the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame and 

Museum through structural repairs and making the historic 

building accessible for people with disabilities.

USDA Rural Development was the lead investor, providing a 

Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan, a CF Guaranteed Loan, two 

Business Development Grants, and two CF Grants. However, half of 

the Rentiesville investments have come from non-USDA partners. 

Alone, USDA lacks the resources for such large-scale projects 

in such a small, impoverished community. But with plenty of 

creativity and enough partners, it’s still possible to make big things 

happen in small towns.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $296,654,214 85 $24,234,124 6 $34,399,500 11 $355,287,838 102

IRP $2,646,749 6 $0 0 $1,500,000 2 $4,146,749 8

Renewable Energy $16,144,606 82 $1,679,139 15 $831,198 19 $18,654,944 116

Business Grants $6,772,018 55 $1,088,068 10 $831,567 7 $8,691,653 72

REDLG $2,141,370 7 $0 0 $300,000 1 $2,441,370 8

VAPG $1,050,152 7 $322,211 3 $39,441 1 $1,411,804 11

SFH Direct $118,299,957 1,242 $16,036,867 148 $14,730,930 136 $149,067,754 1,526

SFH Guaranteed $1,807,542,077 16,501 $255,185,139 2,186 $235,355,793 1,995 $2,298,083,008 20,682

SFH Repairs $4,404,528 717 $758,899 119 $422,890 67 $5,586,317 903

SFH Self-Help Grants $8,999,716 19 $999,179 2 $2,166,439 3 $12,165,334 24

MFH Direct $6,869,453 7 $0 0 $0 0 $6,869,453 7

MFH Guaranteed $7,222,520 11 $725,000 1 $7,100,000 5 $15,047,520 17

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $103,101,105 1,189 $18,718,297 214 $23,258,567 241 $145,077,969 1,644

CF Direct $21,399,779 13 $89,000 1 $25,000,000 1 $46,488,779 15

CF Guaranteed $11,444,290 9 $30,000,000 1 $0 0 $41,444,290 10

CF Grants $8,128,333 146 $1,672,600 34 $1,527,900 33 $11,328,833 213

WWD Direct $144,090,430 89 $18,537,000 8 $29,353,300 11 $191,980,730 108

WWD Guaranteed $391,000 1 $1,026,000 2 $205,000 1 $1,622,000 4

WWD Grants $130,575,958 86 $16,859,378 15 $21,039,168 19 $168,474,504 120

Telecom $308,582,974 74 $22,960,051 4 $4,522,527 6 $336,065,552 84

Electric $920,348,147 35 $40,397,000 3 $41,207,000 3 $1,001,952,147 41

All Other Programs $116,034,929 44 $17,792,864 51 $18,948,043 79 $152,775,836 174

OKLAHOMA TOTAL $4,042,844,305 20,425 $469,080,816 2,823 $462,739,262 2,641 $4,974,664,384 25,889

USDA Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Ryan McMullen, with Rentiesville Mayor 

Mildred Burkhalter outside the new Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor’s Center. The center is 

expected to generate about $9 million annually in tourism revenue.

Oklahoma Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
54 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Oregon

Water and Environmental Programs

New Wetlands Provide Environmentally 

Friendly Wastewater Treatment

The City of Prineville broke ground for the new Crooked River 

Wetlands in 2016. A component of the city’s wastewater system 

improvements funded by USDA Rural Development with State and 

local partners, the wetlands will utilize the natural environment to 

gradually reintroduce clean, treated wastewater into the Crooked 

River, reducing sediment and water temperatures. 

Prineville’s current system began operation in 1960, when the 

population was just 3,260. Today, it serves nearly three times as 

many residents with Facebook and Apple each building their third 

data center in the area. With $5 million in funding from USDA’s 

Water and Waste Disposal Program, the city will install new sewer 

main lines, upgrade the pump station, and improve the lagoon 

aeration system.

The key feature of this $8.9 million project is the addition of 

120 acres of wetlands, which will increase the plant’s capacity 

while eliminating the discharge of treated wastewater directly into 

the Crooked River. The wetlands will benefit fish and wildlife and 

also provide recreational opportunities through 5 miles of new 

hiking trails dotted with 13 educational kiosks developed by local 

school kids.

The Crooked River Wetlands exemplifies environmentally friendly 

growth and development. It will save Prineville $57 million over the 

life of the project compared with the alternative of building a new 

mechanical treatment plant, helping to stabilize future utility rates 

and support a thriving local economy, all while also protecting water 

quality and a healthy watershed for future generations.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $222,396,032 111 $65,426,044 19 $86,286,865 24 $374,108,941 154

IRP $2,127,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $2,127,000 6

Renewable Energy $22,470,613 324 $1,473,906 89 $64,935,656 56 $88,880,174 469

Business Grants $5,944,582 173 $553,346 13 $477,484 13 $6,975,412 199

REDLG $1,884,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,884,000 5

VAPG $3,600,683 38 $2,047,294 17 $1,928,410 13 $7,576,387 68

SFH Direct $116,727,104 767 $12,027,291 72 $10,759,444 67 $139,513,839 906

SFH Guaranteed $2,461,395,258 15,348 $445,413,783 2,519 $367,469,839 2,000 $3,274,278,880 19,867

SFH Repairs $2,365,151 404 $116,860 26 $239,006 35 $2,721,017 465

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,042,717 9 $655,050 1 $0 0 $3,697,767 10

MFH Direct $6,520,194 12 $2,964,658 4 $0 0 $9,484,852 16

MFH Guaranteed $7,850,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $7,850,000 3

Farm Labor Housing $18,627,438 16 $0 0 $3,545,559 3 $22,172,997 19

Rental Assistance $97,522,504 906 $18,801,288 158 $27,820,656 203 $144,144,448 1,267

CF Direct $26,781,453 10 $20,961,000 3 $1,887,809 1 $49,630,262 14

CF Guaranteed $12,389,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $12,389,000 2

CF Grants $1,114,098 28 $222,237 5 $631,176 11 $1,967,511 44

WWD Direct $95,595,867 31 $29,962,515 8 $10,794,000 4 $136,352,382 43

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $51,989,485 38 $7,520,863 8 $6,597,182 10 $66,107,530 56

Telecom $75,268,962 34 $202,643 1 $98,713 1 $75,570,318 36

Electric $54,734,000 5 $47,076,000 2 $0 0 $101,810,000 7

All Other Programs $234,445,694 25 $1,975,234 27 $1,339,489 53 $237,760,417 105

OREGON TOTAL $3,524,791,835 18,295 $657,400,012 2,972 $584,811,287 2,494 $4,767,003,134 23,761

Breaking ground for Crooked River Wetlands, part of the new, environmentally 

conscious municipal wastewater disposal system in Prineville, OR, that will 

protect area natural resources, fish, and wildlife.

Oregon Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 55 

Pennsylvania

Business and Community Programs

Community, USDA Rally to Give Historic 

Theater New Lease on Life

The Berwick Theater was in danger of going under. The historic 

theater, originally built in the 1890s and nestled in the heart of 

downtown rural Berwick, PA, had changed with the times over the 

years from an opera house, a play house, to a movie theater. But 

it eventually fell into disrepair and was condemned. To stay open, 

the theater needed significant funding not just for renovations but 

also to modernize.

Members of the community banded together in an effort to revive 

Berwick Theater by converting it into a nonprofit organization 

to keep it running as a community landmark. Many local 

residents and organizations donated funds, including one major 

contribution of nearly $70,000, which was used to purchase the 

property and incorporate the nonprofit.

USDA Rural Development provided a $90,000 Rural Business 

Development Grant to purchase digital projection equipment, 

and a $50,000 Community Facilities grant to renovate the theater 

to meet current building codes and make it accessible for people 

with disabilities. 

Following the renovations, the theater reopened in summer 

2016. The board of directors plan to make the theater a hub for 

entertainment, community activities, and business events, to 

revitalize downtown Berwick and increase economic activity in 

the community.

“Not only will the theater once again be a center for local arts, 

but the renovations will create jobs, spur local businesses, and 

strengthen the identity of the community as a whole,” USDA Rural 

Development State Director Tom Williams said.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $239,302,844 64 $25,760,000 7 $26,410,000 9 $291,472,844 80

IRP $6,324,000 12 $2,173,933 4 $500,000 1 $8,997,933 17

Renewable Energy $41,605,497 207 $3,135,243 72 $1,263,319 36 $46,004,059 315

Business Grants $5,864,162 74 $709,000 10 $733,000 11 $7,306,162 95

REDLG $109,812 1 $0 0 $0 0 $109,812 1

VAPG $1,381,954 22 $689,428 10 $1,732,920 15 $3,804,302 47

SFH Direct $181,782,049 1,286 $21,184,232 153 $23,390,950 174 $226,357,231 1,613

SFH Guaranteed $3,520,259,710 26,664 $641,994,935 4,880 $591,853,418 4,393 $4,754,108,063 35,937

SFH Repairs $10,305,098 2,025 $1,454,722 256 $1,752,763 323 $13,512,583 2,604

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,092,569 6 $150,000 2 $0 0 $2,242,569 8

MFH Direct $13,690,691 23 $8,235,775 12 $0 0 $21,926,466 35

MFH Guaranteed $6,367,800 4 $3,500,000 1 $0 0 $9,867,800 5

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $136,011,372 1,157 $26,530,944 223 $34,698,535 279 $197,240,851 1,659

CF Direct $305,241,250 150 $182,327,220 34 $3,972,840 19 $491,541,310 203

CF Guaranteed $104,584,472 12 $16,950,000 1 $30,000,000 1 $151,534,472 14

CF Grants $6,212,880 140 $683,800 23 $915,100 30 $7,811,780 193

WWD Direct $356,552,850 104 $57,262,000 14 $38,654,900 10 $452,469,750 128

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $105,963,870 57 $16,864,800 10 $16,344,000 6 $139,172,670 73

Telecom $4,382,538 18 $0 0 $1,040,955 4 $5,423,493 22

Electric $152,142,000 9 $0 0 $18,000,000 1 $170,142,000 10

All Other Programs $10,817,969 69 $707,067 16 $694,460 51 $12,219,497 136

PENNSYLVANIA TOTAL $5,210,995,387 32,104 $1,010,313,099 5,728 $791,957,160 5,363 $7,013,265,647 43,195

Members of USDA Rural Development and the Berwick Theater Board of 

Directors under the marquee on Front Street in downtown Berwick, PA.

Pennsylvania Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
56 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Puerto Rico

Water and Environmental Programs

Protecting Natural Resources and Promoting 

Economic Growth in Rural Puerto Rico

Vieques is a small, rural island located about 8 miles off Puerto 

Rico’s eastern coast, with a population of 9,350 people, living 

on just 52 square miles of land. Residents face serious economic 

hardships, such as very low income and a higher unemployment 

rate than that on the mainland.

Vieques’s landfill, located in the community of Puerto Diablo, is 

unsafe and a potential health, safety, and environmental hazard. 

The problems arose, in part, because despite being the largest 

community on the island, Puerto Diablo is also one of its most 

economically depressed places. The unemployment rate is 

almost 18 percent, the poverty rate is 37 percent, and residents’ 

per capita income is about $6,380. Municipal leaders needed 

help to implement adequate, responsible, professional, and safe 

management of the landfill.

USDA Rural Development provided a $54,000 Solid Waste 

Management Grant for technical assistance and training to better 

manage the site. The Cooperativa de Servicios Profesionales, 

in collaboration with the Municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico 

Sierra Club, University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Department of 

Education, and community leaders, are teaching local residents 

about conservation of water resources and helping to implement a 

recycling and composting program.

USDA Rural Development is targeting assistance to Vieques 

through its StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative 

to combat rural poverty. The recycling and composting program is 

expected to create new jobs in this economically distressed locale.

With this USDA Rural Development assistance, this community 

will have the opportunity to reinforce sustainability through a 

successful solid waste management program.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $42,158,384 20 $2,777,136 4 $0 0 $44,935,520 24

IRP $1,067,000 3 $486,861 1 $0 0 $1,553,861 4

Renewable Energy $1,324,867 28 $1,241,250 16 $737,915 20 $3,304,032 64

Business Grants $2,512,327 25 $246,000 6 $253,000 6 $3,011,327 37

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $2,056,390 10 $1,683,000 8 $1,590,006 8 $5,329,396 26

SFH Direct $93,845,877 968 $13,734,011 136 $11,661,173 114 $119,241,061 1,218

SFH Guaranteed $1,974,012,420 16,933 $245,216,423 2,169 $224,659,572 1,997 $2,443,888,415 21,099

SFH Repairs $2,995,775 548 $512,670 88 $789,260 152 $4,297,705 788

SFH Self-Help Grants $315,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $315,000 1

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $2,417,979 2 $0 0 $0 0 $2,417,979 2

Rental Assistance $105,462,216 369 $17,572,893 61 $26,809,671 87 $149,844,780 517

CF Direct $54,514,450 54 $13,879,322 16 $18,000,592 14 $86,394,364 84

CF Guaranteed $3,144,480 2 $0 0 $0 0 $3,144,480 2

CF Grants $3,136,142 59 $198,400 9 $320,300 7 $3,654,842 75

WWD Direct $83,693,325 31 $11,714,000 7 $10,905,000 6 $106,312,325 44

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $33,628,598 37 $3,309,000 12 $3,229,000 5 $40,166,598 54

Telecom $1,696,696 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,696,696 4

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $2,601,949 44 $125,237 11 $897,266 9 $3,624,451 64

PUERTO RICO TOTAL $2,410,583,875 19,138 $312,696,202 2,544 $299,852,755 2,425 $3,023,132,832 24,107

Future leaders learning about the recycling and composting program 

in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 57 

Rhode Island

Water and Environmental Programs

USDA Helps Improve Quality of Life 

for Pascoag Utility District Customers

More than 1,000 families in Rhode Island’s Pascoag Utility District 

will soon enjoy improved water quality, thanks to $2.4 million 

in loans and grants awarded by USDA Rural Development. 

Announced on Earth Day 2016, the funds are being used to 

upgrade nearly 30,000 feet of deteriorating water mains.

The improvements will support a self-help housing initiative in 

local Burillville Village, also financed by USDA Rural Development. 

The self-help project is helping 30 local low- and very low-income 

families construct their own affordable homes by providing 

their own “sweat equity.” Seven homes are already almost 

complete. Supervision and technical and assistance are provided 

by USDA’s partners in the initiative, Rhode Island Housing and 

Neighborworks®. When finished, the homes will be connected to 

high-quality water supplies through the Pascoag project.

The Pascoag water improvements project is the first project in 

southern New England submitted and approved through USDA 

Rural Development’s new “RD Apply” online application system. 

RD Apply’s automated process reduces paperwork, eliminates 

bottlenecks, and saves time and money for communities applying 

for USDA utilities program loans and grants.

USDA assistance made the water system improvements possible 

at a reasonable cost to customers, said Michael Kirkwood, general 

manager and CEO of the Pascoag Utility District. “Commercial 

lenders were not a viable option for us,” he said. “The low interest 

rate, 40-year repayment term, and Federal grant made it doable 

without having to greatly increase utility costs.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $1,766,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,766,000 1

IRP $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Renewable Energy $868,435 30 $876,023 14 $492,207 12 $2,236,665 56

Business Grants $474,010 9 $83,000 3 $183,000 5 $740,010 17

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $200,000 2 $0 0 $37,500 1 $237,500 3

SFH Direct $22,373,831 107 $2,729,865 11 $3,801,991 21 $28,905,687 139

SFH Guaranteed $178,963,825 893 $32,893,222 154 $19,299,781 86 $231,156,828 1,133

SFH Repairs $576,886 100 $88,921 15 $32,662 8 $698,469 123

SFH Self-Help Grants $345,250 1 $0 0 $0 0 $345,250 1

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $1,114,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,114,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $10,806,120 63 $1,871,904 9 $3,569,557 16 $16,247,581 88

CF Direct $17,394,090 11 $6,253,823 2 $5,460,562 2 $29,108,475 15

CF Guaranteed $384,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $384,000 1

CF Grants $448,578 20 $113,900 3 $174,000 8 $736,478 31

WWD Direct $15,135,000 26 $4,760,000 2 $6,247,000 5 $26,142,000 33

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $13,534,950 31 $1,780,000 2 $1,842,000 5 $17,156,950 38

Telecom $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $150,000 3 $23,592 3 $61,969 3 $235,561 9

RHODE ISLAND TOTAL $264,534,975 1,299 $51,474,250 218 $41,202,230 172 $357,211,454 1,689

Scott Soares (second from left), Rural Development State Director for Massachusetts, 

Connecticut, and Rhode Island, celebrates the award to improve the water system 

with Pascoag Utility District officials and other Rural Development employees.

Rhode Island Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
58 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

South Carolina

Housing Programs

USDA and Partners Help Residents 

After 1,000-Year Flood

In October 2015, South Carolina experienced a “1,000-year flood,” 

historic levels of rainfall, in the “Low Country” along the seacoast. 

Seventeen USDA Rural Development-financed multi-family housing 

properties in the State were impacted by the flood, but none more 

so than Meadowfield Apartments in rural Summerton, SC.

Residents of Meadowfield Apartments had to evacuate during the 

flash floods. They were relocated to other housing in the region, 

as representatives from USDA Rural Development, along with 

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, City of 

Manning, and many others, worked together to rebuild and repair 

the damage to the property.

Crews worked tirelessly for 7 days straight to remove more than 

141 tons of debris and get the units ready for reconstruction. 

Word spread through the community about what had happened, 

and overwhelming support began to arrive. Many local agencies, 

churches, and organizations brought meals, supplies, water, and 

offers of help throughout the process.

Initial estimates to remove debris and rebuild the property 

exceeded $1.4 million. Through collaboration between USDA Rural 

Development and the partners, and volunteer efforts by debrisremoval and construction crews, only approximately $400,000 was 

needed from the property’s reserve funds for the repairs.

In mid-December, the property was ready for occupancy again, 

and residents began arriving home just in time for Christmas. 

The generosity of the community continued, with donations 

of household goodie bags, gift cards, new mattresses from the 

Salvation Army, and lamps and chairs from the City of Manning. 

Renewal of Meadowfield Apartments was finished in just under 3 

months, thanks to the spirit of cooperation between the government, 

the property managers, the community, and many others.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $235,743,483 82 $14,882,500 7 $47,279,182 11 $297,905,165 100

IRP $6,513,782 12 $400,000 1 $0 0 $6,913,782 13

Renewable Energy $4,251,130 93 $239,099 16 $15,716,635 15 $20,206,864 124

Business Grants $6,251,808 86 $620,000 11 $668,000 13 $7,539,808 110

REDLG $15,865,560 22 $2,000,000 2 $3,300,000 4 $21,165,560 28

VAPG $1,862,742 13 $1,130,254 5 $706,681 5 $3,699,677 23

SFH Direct $192,621,739 1,563 $27,181,873 211 $22,501,048 172 $242,304,660 1,946

SFH Guaranteed $2,782,720,792 21,115 $521,859,624 3,805 $489,583,164 3,503 $3,794,163,580 28,423

SFH Repairs $9,036,280 1,270 $1,258,778 177 $1,487,588 219 $11,782,646 1,666

SFH Self-Help Grants $275,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $275,000 1

MFH Direct $27,625,372 33 $11,025,993 12 $3,175,612 5 $41,826,977 50

MFH Guaranteed $18,634,251 22 $0 0 $2,450,000 2 $21,084,251 24

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $2,376,800 2 $840,215 2 $3,217,015 4

Rental Assistance $151,201,104 1,254 $27,120,997 226 $40,084,358 304 $218,406,459 1,784

CF Direct $256,835,310 97 $64,238,062 24 $99,467,098 34 $420,540,470 155

CF Guaranteed $28,086,300 10 $15,000,000 2 $7,000,000 2 $50,086,300 14

CF Grants $15,734,477 148 $1,388,700 37 $1,347,100 32 $18,470,277 217

WWD Direct $312,093,292 110 $49,236,068 17 $62,977,000 13 $424,306,360 140

WWD Guaranteed $1,323,600 1 $0 0 $3,100,000 1 $4,423,600 2

WWD Grants $150,583,950 78 $12,691,199 14 $9,145,300 12 $172,420,449 104

Telecom $205,429,974 21 $13,994,912 6 $1,274,853 4 $220,699,739 31

Electric $823,545,000 19 $115,704,000 4 $302,421,000 5 $1,241,670,000 28

All Other Programs $5,794,289 53 $1,757,743 202 $1,424,746 234 $8,976,778 489

SOUTH CAROLINA TOTAL $5,252,029,235 26,103 $884,106,602 4,781 $1,115,949,580 4,592 $7,252,085,417 35,476

One of the clean-up crews that helped repair flood damage to 

Meadowfield Apartments, a USDA Rural Development-financed 

rural rental housing property in Summerton, SC.

South Carolina Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 59 

South Dakota

Business Programs

USDA Helps South Dakota Tribe Explore Local 

Foods Options

USDA Rural Development in South Dakota is working with members 

of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe to increase access to fresh, 

locally produced food. Championing local food projects can help 

the tribe stimulate economic development and job creation, 

promote education and positive eating habits in schools, increase 

access to healthy foods, and provide opportunities for beginning 

farmers to learn effective farming and marketing practices.

USDA Rural Development provided an $188,000 Rural Business 

Development Grant through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth 

and Opportunity Initiative for a market study to determine demand 

for value-added foods in the area, and a feasibility study to help 

guide production of local foods.

USDA’s StrikeForce initiative targets USDA assistance to persistent 

poverty areas. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Reservation is one of 

the lowest median-household income communities in the United 

States, with an overall poverty rate of 22.9 percent and 37 percent 

of children living in poverty.

This collaborative effort between USDA and tribal leaders is the 

first step to increase locally grown food products and expand 

access to healthy foods that will provide long-term benefits for 

local residents. This project seeks to empower tribal partners, and 

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $81,016,272 44 $1,239,000 2 $50,896,802 9 $133,152,074 55

IRP $10,164,000 16 $3,553,141 5 $2,000,000 2 $15,717,141 23

Renewable Energy $8,556,397 213 $1,121,346 53 $521,767 26 $10,199,510 292

Business Grants $5,253,503 63 $255,995 4 $596,181 6 $6,105,679 73

REDLG $9,891,000 26 $2,335,000 7 $1,812,000 5 $14,038,000 38

VAPG $1,048,815 8 $303,907 2 $499,958 2 $1,852,680 12

SFH Direct $70,273,946 659 $11,132,596 90 $10,943,937 85 $92,350,479 834

SFH Guaranteed $954,886,459 7,913 $179,091,825 1,355 $150,939,713 1,119 $1,284,917,997 10,387

SFH Repairs $2,027,071 399 $263,137 57 $172,916 36 $2,463,124 492

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,791,110 7 $993,317 4 $0 0 $2,784,427 11

MFH Direct $6,391,304 18 $489,000 1 $11,725,842 4 $18,606,146 23

MFH Guaranteed $1,225,900 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,225,900 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $80,205,587 926 $11,236,284 180 $16,899,650 232 $108,341,521 1,338

CF Direct $108,347,466 88 $12,543,300 7 $41,145,000 11 $162,035,766 106

CF Guaranteed $22,423,000 8 $0 0 $0 0 $22,423,000 8

CF Grants $7,644,117 107 $987,400 16 $691,100 13 $9,322,617 136

WWD Direct $110,573,000 111 $13,238,000 8 $13,148,000 8 $136,959,000 127

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $102,160,570 89 $9,248,000 10 $6,461,846 12 $117,870,416 111

Telecom $133,529,648 25 $1,097,168 4 $17,577,963 5 $152,204,779 34

Electric $715,154,000 48 $7,741,000 2 $95,109,000 4 $818,004,000 54

All Other Programs $6,853,708 40 $1,130,901 185 $1,677,915 415 $9,662,524 640

SOUTH DAKOTA TOTAL $2,439,416,873 10,809 $258,000,317 1,992 $422,819,590 1,994 $3,120,236,780 14,795

Volunteer Joe Williams helps tend the 

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate community garden.

South Dakota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

other team members at the local, State, and Federal levels, to work 

collectively toward sustainable local foods systems that will build 

wealth within tribal communities. The project will also support food 

sovereignty for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate people, the right to 

produce healthy, culturally appropriate foods through ecologically 

sound and sustainable systems as determined by the tribe.

“The concept of food sovereignty has been a part of American 

Indian way of life for thousands of years,” said Sisseton Wahpeton 

Oyate Chairman Dave Flute. “It is exciting as a modern-day 

tribe to reestablish ourselves in food production and trade for 

economic growth.”
60 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Tennessee

Community Programs

USDA Helps University Stay Competitive 

in the Higher Education Market

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in rural 

southeast Tennessee lies the small yet charming Tennessee 

Wesleyan University (TWU), a liberal arts school committed to 

providing a wide range of studies to help each student achieve 

their dreams. TWU’s dedicated faculty and administration strive to 

provide the resources and individualized support to ensure that 

each student receives a quality education and obtains the proper 

skills needed to succeed in his or her career and life. To accomplish 

this, updated campus facilities were both a necessity and priority. 

TWU President Harley Knowles went to Director of Facilities 

Management Mike Ingram and his staff and asked what they 

would fix if they had the money to make the biggest difference 

for the most people. School leaders worked with staff at the USDA 

Rural Development Chattanooga Area Office to explore affordable 

financing options from USDA. As a result, the university received 

a $20.6 million Rural Development Community Facilities Loan 

to construct a 30,000-square-foot student life building, improve 

other buildings on campus, renovate its parking lot, and refinance 

a portion of the college’s debt.

Besides essential upgrades and repairs around campus, the 

USDA Rural Development loan also allows the university to focus 

on the future and expand available programs and services for 

students in the region. “The context of these projects is to prepare 

the institution for the next level of growth,” Knowles said. “We 

are working to ensure we stay relevant in a competitive, higher 

education market, so we can continue to serve a wide range of 

students from our community and beyond.”

The student life building, the “Colloms Campus Center,” will 

provide improved activity and event space, student services, and 

staff offices. Improvements to existing buildings include roof 

replacement and installation of heating and cooling systems.

TWU is located in McMinn County, one of 53 counties in Tennessee 

benefiting from USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity 

Initiative to combat persistent poverty in rural communities.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $244,899,758 69 $27,079,000 6 $20,642,000 6 $292,620,758 81

IRP $1,150,000 2 $0 0 $524,207 1 $1,674,207 3

Renewable Energy $8,814,116 234 $3,191,668 75 $1,186,891 53 $13,192,676 362

Business Grants $6,835,626 247 $733,000 26 $1,284,000 36 $8,852,626 309

REDLG $27,796,752 40 $4,483,334 4 $3,640,000 4 $35,920,086 48

VAPG $1,066,863 9 $49,500 1 $356,654 4 $1,473,017 14

SFH Direct $197,446,494 1,871 $20,515,368 186 $21,934,512 191 $239,896,374 2,248

SFH Guaranteed $3,744,177,758 31,625 $931,690,869 7,256 $812,037,497 6,211 $5,487,906,124 45,092

SFH Repairs $11,031,343 2,296 $1,656,601 325 $1,999,365 378 $14,687,309 2,999

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,006,400 2 $0 0 $832,578 3 $1,838,978 5

MFH Direct $10,345,853 14 $17,751,555 18 $0 0 $28,097,408 32

MFH Guaranteed $29,263,802 18 $20,351,345 21 $400,000 1 $50,015,147 40

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $136,394,100 1,321 $26,230,512 256 $34,843,806 302 $197,468,418 1,879

CF Direct $252,299,758 154 $88,235,400 21 $71,195,900 23 $411,731,058 198

CF Guaranteed $1,450,000 2 $0 0 $14,875,239 1 $16,325,239 3

CF Grants $8,742,018 257 $654,700 23 $1,139,730 36 $10,536,448 316

WWD Direct $198,792,400 167 $22,413,500 18 $26,772,000 20 $247,977,900 205

WWD Guaranteed $2,488,840 1 $0 0 $0 0 $2,488,840 1

WWD Grants $81,417,366 175 $12,315,500 21 $9,888,785 24 $103,621,651 220

Telecom $235,957,236 38 $627,523 2 $3,489,432 8 $240,074,191 48

Electric $231,724,000 14 $30,000,000 1 $17,000,000 1 $278,724,000 16

All Other Programs $19,424,820 74 $1,771,917 57 $431,882 90 $21,628,620 221

TENNESSEE TOTAL $5,452,525,303 38,630 $1,209,751,293 8,317 $1,044,474,479 7,393 $7,706,751,074 54,340

The future home of Colloms Campus Center, a new student life building for 

TWU students. USDA Rural Development financing is helping the university build 

the new center and make other critical improvements to its facilities.

Tennessee Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 61 

Texas

Water and Environmental Programs

Building Infrastructure and Opportunity 

in Rural South Texas

La Villa is a very small, rural community in south Texas with a 

population of only about 1,950 people. La Villa’s wastewater 

system was failing, but city leaders had limited resources for 

infrastructure development. Almost half of residents live below the 

poverty line.

USDA Rural Development provided La Villa, TX, with $4 million in 

affordable loan and grant assistance through the Water and Waste 

Disposal Program to replace its aging aerated wastewater system 

with a new mechanical wastewater treatment plant. The sewer 

system improvements and expansion will help the city comply 

with Federal and State environmental quality requirements.

USDA Rural Development Texas State Director Paco Valentin, city, 

State, and Federal officials, local schoolchildren, and residents 

celebrated the funding from USDA for Earth Day 2016.

La Villa is in Hidalgo County, one of the counties where USDA Rural 

Development is focusing additional assistance as part of the USDA 

StrikeForce initiative to combat rural poverty. Besides safeguarding 

residents’ health and protecting the environment, the wastewater 

treatment plant expansion will also be a vehicle for economic 

growth and job creation. For instance, additional construction jobs 

will bring work crews from outside the area, resulting in increased 

business at local restaurants and hotels. Most importantly, 

however, the project will improve the quality of life for the families 

and children that live in La Villa.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $365,297,578 84 $35,000,000 2 $48,355,550 9 $448,653,128 95

IRP $4,655,000 9 $1,000,000 1 $500,000 1 $6,155,000 11

Renewable Energy $38,724,766 278 $2,764,521 56 $15,576,947 47 $57,066,234 381

Business Grants $8,733,310 60 $871,000 5 $931,870 6 $10,536,180 71

REDLG $1,040,000 2 $2,000,000 1 $1,000,000 1 $4,040,000 4

VAPG $1,947,123 14 $1,149,061 11 $241,189 5 $3,337,373 30

SFH Direct $319,553,743 3,208 $29,399,725 277 $36,318,473 322 $385,271,941 3,807

SFH Guaranteed $5,485,171,915 41,702 $764,207,813 5,153 $616,189,125 3,979 $6,865,568,853 50,834

SFH Repairs $17,954,446 2,835 $2,800,964 428 $3,538,288 642 $24,293,698 3,905

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,642,040 10 $60,795 2 $281,500 1 $2,984,335 13

MFH Direct $1,973,573 7 $3,012,774 2 $0 0 $4,986,347 9

MFH Guaranteed $45,924,312 24 $14,619,868 9 $32,171,822 11 $92,716,002 44

Farm Labor Housing $19,911,905 11 $0 0 $2,400,000 1 $22,311,905 12

Rental Assistance $252,884,340 2,800 $47,881,964 526 $60,002,523 628 $360,768,827 3,954

CF Direct $174,142,978 114 $45,055,500 13 $71,836,900 19 $291,035,378 146

CF Guaranteed $36,183,426 9 $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $39,183,426 10

CF Grants $14,910,601 162 $534,000 16 $1,179,600 31 $16,624,201 209

WWD Direct $270,693,930 143 $132,825,068 41 $67,092,300 31 $470,611,298 215

WWD Guaranteed $2,910,784 3 $0 0 $800,000 1 $3,710,784 4

WWD Grants $150,541,858 185 $29,637,040 67 $29,154,855 85 $209,333,753 337

Telecom $326,475,220 61 $13,450,000 1 $14,691,780 2 $354,617,000 64

Electric $2,033,431,000 47 $0 0 $158,660,000 2 $2,192,091,000 49

All Other Programs $5,598,131 36 $1,206,557 174 $1,437,252 231 $8,241,940 441

TEXAS TOTAL $9,581,301,979 51,804 $1,130,476,649 6,786 $1,162,359,974 6,055 $11,874,138,602 64,645

USDA Rural Development Texas State Director Paco Valentin; city, State, and Federal 

officials; elected officials; and La Villa community members celebrate the USDA funding 

that will finance critically needed improvements to the municipal sewer system.

Texas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
62 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Utah

Community Programs

Center for Adults With Disabilities 

Stays Rural To Improve Lives

Living in a rural area with fresh air and wide open spaces may 

seem ideal, but for an adult with developmental or physical 

disabilities, rural areas pose many challenges. In rural places, 

access to specialized care is limited and that’s where TURN 

Community Services, a nonprofit agency, plays an important role 

for the people of Richfield, UT.

TURN has locations throughout the State where their staff offer 

residential and employment services, day programs, and art 

centers for adults with disabilities. The organization opened a day 

center on Richfield’s main street in an old building that didn’t quite 

fit their needs. After discovering a few physical problems with the 

building, including difficult handicap-accessibility, administrators 

began looking to move. TURN administrators wanted to own their 

own building to better establish security and control over the 

building’s future, and be able to meet the individual needs of the 

people they serve.

USDA Rural Development provided a $494,000 Community 

Facilities loan and grant to construct a new center, which provides 

space for art classes, vocational training, outdoor experiences, and 

administrative activities. This center is also equipped to participate 

in distance learning, which connects center locations around the 

State to one another and allows clients even more chances to 

engage in the world around them. 

“This is a social program,” says Jan Parke, Director of Housing and 

Development, “This is a place to help them experience things 

that they’re not going to if they’re sitting in a little country home 

somewhere.” Parke says it is important for TURN to have rural 

locations, such as the one in Richfield, so clients can maintain their 

same social networks and sense of community but also get the 

assistance they need.

“You keep them where they already feel accepted. You just help 

them move on with their life,” she says.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $82,652,881 44 $22,638,930 7 $23,741,000 8 $129,032,811 59

IRP $356,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $356,000 2

Renewable Energy $2,966,088 50 $921,021 10 $529,704 15 $4,416,813 75

Business Grants $2,253,727 39 $134,000 4 $306,286 5 $2,694,013 48

REDLG $3,942,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $3,942,000 5

VAPG $1,755,799 11 $250,000 1 $262,500 2 $2,268,299 14

SFH Direct $274,793,184 1,688 $25,560,807 148 $37,342,224 201 $337,696,215 2,037

SFH Guaranteed $2,206,154,838 13,137 $422,648,031 2,240 $335,660,943 1,702 $2,964,463,812 17,079

SFH Repairs $1,836,071 316 $159,919 28 $234,734 34 $2,230,724 378

SFH Self-Help Grants $15,009,409 24 $3,465,890 8 $4,033,024 5 $22,508,323 37

MFH Direct $2,665,446 7 $0 0 $0 0 $2,665,446 7

MFH Guaranteed $750,000 1 $940,000 1 $0 0 $1,690,000 2

Farm Labor Housing $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $1,000,000 1

Rental Assistance $42,402,480 335 $8,127,360 59 $9,137,509 74 $59,667,349 468

CF Direct $82,650,500 28 $7,242,100 3 $42,306,980 9 $132,199,580 40

CF Guaranteed $73,929,202 16 $0 0 $10,925,000 2 $84,854,202 18

CF Grants $2,559,871 42 $83,900 2 $225,400 7 $2,869,171 51

WWD Direct $36,549,800 27 $4,672,000 1 $4,809,000 1 $46,030,800 29

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $34,518,153 31 $4,663,000 6 $7,864,212 7 $47,045,365 44

Telecom $22,173,915 15 $339,480 2 $304,132 1 $22,817,527 18

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $350,000 7 $55,016 3 $148,186 15 $553,202 25

UTAH TOTAL $2,891,269,364 15,826 $501,901,454 2,523 $477,830,834 2,088 $3,871,001,652 20,437

A group of clients gather to sing during a music class offered at the 

TURN Community Services City Center for the Arts.

Utah Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 63 

Vermont

Housing Programs

New USDA Rural Development Program 

Promises Better Rural Housing

A new USDA Rural Development program helped Dennis Miller of 

Putney, VT, make his dream of homeownership a reality. He took 

advantage of a strong working relationship between USDA and 

local and State housing organizations to become the first USDA 

borrower to purchase an energy-efficient manufactured home for 

placement in a park.

New technologies make it possible to manufacture high-quality, 

highly energy-efficient homes at affordable prices—offering huge 

potential benefits in Vermont, with its cold winters and aging 

housing. However, conventional lenders are reluctant to provide 

traditional mortgages for this improved manufactured housing. 

In response to this need, USDA Rural Development launched the 

Energy Efficient Manufactured Home Pilot Program, which gives 

current and future residents of manufactured home parks the 

opportunity to finance a modular home with a USDA single-family 

housing loan.

USDA cooperated with the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, 

the State of Vermont, the Vermont Housing and Conservation 

Board, and Champlain Housing Trust to enable Miller to take out 

an affordable USDA home loan to buy an energy-efficient modular 

home, incorporating solar panels, to locate in the Locust Hill 

Mobile Home Park.

The partnership that made the purchase possible promises new 

housing opportunities to Vermonters, 7 percent of whom live in 

manufactured homes, and points the way to better affordable 

housing options across rural America.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $33,556,880 13 $0 0 $12,000,000 1 $45,556,880 14

IRP $8,368,000 12 $2,000,000 2 $1,250,000 2 $11,618,000 16

Renewable Energy $10,441,438 253 $1,558,924 46 $3,023,926 44 $15,024,288 343

Business Grants $8,398,087 110 $1,392,717 19 $1,294,414 21 $11,085,218 150

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $1,458,212 15 $969,909 9 $1,153,703 8 $3,581,824 32

SFH Direct $66,751,404 473 $9,685,263 64 $8,968,462 61 $85,405,129 598

SFH Guaranteed $497,784,054 3,073 $80,614,463 510 $68,441,109 414 $646,839,626 3,997

SFH Repairs $2,569,754 487 $300,429 48 $510,131 86 $3,380,314 621

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $17,036,281 23 $2,786,707 3 $8,577,436 10 $28,400,424 36

MFH Guaranteed $300,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $300,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $464,035 5 $0 0 $0 0 $464,035 5

Rental Assistance $44,291,947 330 $7,338,552 55 $11,429,642 80 $63,060,141 465

CF Direct $18,346,350 45 $3,897,700 12 $9,214,400 8 $31,458,450 65

CF Guaranteed $8,502,826 8 $65,000 1 $2,800,000 1 $11,367,826 10

CF Grants $3,147,619 117 $501,400 23 $928,900 22 $4,577,919 162

WWD Direct $46,658,200 39 $9,309,000 8 $11,331,000 15 $67,298,200 62

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $47,742,629 53 $6,443,830 17 $7,475,892 18 $61,662,351 88

Telecom $124,794,862 13 $0 0 $0 0 $124,794,862 13

Electric $15,300,000 2 $53,141,000 2 $0 0 $68,441,000 4

All Other Programs $2,661,146 26 $400,000 5 $1,367,042 9 $4,428,188 40

VERMONT TOTAL $958,573,724 5,098 $180,404,894 824 $149,766,057 800 $1,288,744,675 6,722

Dennis Miller on the front steps of his new energy-efficient USDA Rural Developmentfinanced modular home.

Vermont Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
64 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Virginia

Housing Programs

Rockingham Family Achieves 

the American Dream

USDA Rural Development celebrated National Homeownership 

Month in June 2016 with a young family, Alias and Ansam Khader 

and their three children, whose dreams recently came true 

when they were able to purchase their first home. USDA Rural 

Development provided the Khaders with an affordable, lowinterest $210,000 home loan for the purchase.

The Khader family immigrated to the United States from 

Iraq. They left their home country in 2008 seeking safety and 

better opportunities for their household, eventually settling in 

Rockingham, VA.

USDA Rural Development’s Single-Family Housing Direct Loan 

Program helps lower income rural families and individuals get 

homes of their own. Payment assistance is provided to reduce the 

mortgage payments for a short time.

Homeownership through this program helps rural families but also 

lays the groundwork for entire communities to move toward growth 

and development. It helps residents build household wealth, fund 

education through home equity, and otherwise climb ladders of 

economic opportunity. Additionally, it creates jobs for local builders, 

realtors, appraisers, and durable goods manufacturers.

Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez; former 

Rural Development Virginia State Director Basil Gooden; Virginia 

Rural Development employees; and local officials joined the 

Khader family on the front porch of their newly constructed home 

for the June 2016 celebration and key presentation.

“We are very happy,” Khader said at the event. “Big dreams 

come true.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $145,768,489 56 $16,801,707 7 $46,492,035 9 $209,062,231 72

IRP $1,207,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,207,000 3

Renewable Energy $6,976,466 175 $2,212,222 40 $841,190 35 $10,029,878 250

Business Grants $4,669,167 58 $607,000 10 $596,000 7 $5,872,167 75

REDLG $1,905,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,905,000 4

VAPG $6,069,374 38 $3,969,140 30 $3,914,202 20 $13,952,716 88

SFH Direct $137,652,144 994 $13,792,327 109 $18,939,661 131 $170,384,132 1,234

SFH Guaranteed $3,106,892,937 20,335 $626,215,261 3,858 $575,275,424 3,533 $4,308,383,622 27,726

SFH Repairs $6,890,658 1,136 $1,115,908 169 $1,529,146 258 $9,535,712 1,563

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $10,253,296 17 $941,238 1 $0 0 $11,194,534 18

MFH Guaranteed $4,748,864 2 $0 0 $500,000 1 $5,248,864 3

Farm Labor Housing $2,000,000 2 $4,250,000 3 $0 0 $6,250,000 5

Rental Assistance $138,062,520 1,145 $29,084,460 211 $34,886,986 245 $202,033,966 1,601

CF Direct $213,312,234 155 $10,560,900 16 $72,642,600 36 $296,515,734 207

CF Guaranteed $326,000 1 $0 0 $9,400,000 3 $9,726,000 4

CF Grants $14,916,781 414 $774,500 21 $1,477,600 43 $17,168,881 478

WWD Direct $266,105,280 108 $24,034,000 12 $40,955,000 13 $331,094,280 133

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $100,097,538 99 $11,482,700 20 $10,336,000 25 $121,916,238 144

Telecom $103,852,950 28 $3,373,158 2 $2,412,290 3 $109,638,398 33

Electric $3,241,176,000 28 $254,238,000 2 $445,462,000 5 $3,940,876,000 35

All Other Programs $7,638,653 37 $603,850 23 $557,631 25 $8,800,135 85

VIRGINIA TOTAL $7,520,521,351 24,835 $1,004,056,372 4,534 $1,266,217,765 4,392 $9,790,795,487 33,761

Virginia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

Former Rural Development Virginia State Director Basil Gooden (left) 

and Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez (right) 

present the Khaders with a ceremonial key to their new home.
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 65 

Washington

Housing Programs

Protecting Heritage Affordable Housing 

in Growing Washington Markets

Lower income rural and urban residents alike often struggle due to 

limited availability of affordable housing, but the low population 

base and rising property values in many rural communities can 

compound the problem for rural families.

In the Washington State communities of Ellensburg, Cashmere, 

Selah, and Leavenworth, market forces were encouraging the 

removal of older multi-family properties in favor of development 

of higher-end single-family homes. Preserving affordable housing 

is critical to maintaining the overall health of a rural community. 

Every housing unit counts because the demand in these 

Washington communities—like that in many other places across 

the country—exceeds the supply.

To help preserve affordable rural rental housing for low- to 

moderate-income residents in the area, USDA Rural Development 

provided a guarantee on a $4.63 million loan, from lender Churchill 

Stateside Group, to rehabilitate and remodel six aging USDAfinanced rural rental housing complexes. The project, managed by 

HopeSource II Rural Preservation Associates, included renovating 

146 apartment units at the various properties. Besides partners 

USDA Rural Development and Churchill Stateside Group, the 

project was also supported through the Washington State Housing 

Trust Fund and Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

Many of the residents in these multi-family properties are 

elderly, disabled, on a fixed income, or a combination of all three. 

Historically, these properties have had very low vacancy rates and 

long waiting lists. Losing such affordable housing, for example, Berg 

Rose in Leavenworth, WA, would be tragic. The loss would be almost 

impossible to replace as vacation rentals and second homes in this 

popular destination are driving both land and housing to expensive 

extremes that hinder development of new affordable housing.

Remodeling and rehabilitating these properties—originally built 

in the 1980s—will preserve the availability of affordable housing 

in these four rural communities for the next 30 years or more.

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $145,909,471 58 $20,534,550 6 $20,179,959 5 $186,623,980 69

IRP $5,494,000 9 $0 0 $0 0 $5,494,000 9

Renewable Energy $14,359,348 248 $1,664,984 97 $1,408,352 80 $17,432,683 425

Business Grants $4,424,255 67 $431,853 8 $500,000 10 $5,356,108 85

REDLG $1,330,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,330,000 4

VAPG $4,519,868 30 $1,460,240 17 $2,327,704 18 $8,307,812 65

SFH Direct $280,314,916 1,589 $27,854,196 164 $35,765,503 184 $343,934,615 1,937

SFH Guaranteed $3,510,305,094 18,579 $537,446,456 2,729 $413,457,933 1,986 $4,461,209,483 23,294

SFH Repairs $3,494,158 502 $302,317 45 $476,627 74 $4,273,102 621

SFH Self-Help Grants $19,846,852 22 $2,583,426 8 $3,495,087 4 $25,925,365 34

MFH Direct $7,991,435 14 $2,513,070 3 $974,980 1 $11,479,485 18

MFH Guaranteed $12,361,428 8 $7,557,939 7 $0 0 $19,919,367 15

Farm Labor Housing $24,010,310 19 $322,750 1 $4,888,566 2 $29,221,626 22

Rental Assistance $139,755,701 1,219 $28,216,318 253 $35,745,137 280 $203,717,156 1,752

CF Direct $110,184,200 65 $3,795,100 10 $34,907,300 8 $148,886,600 83

CF Guaranteed $25,535,100 9 $0 0 $2,748,771 2 $28,283,871 11

CF Grants $4,513,313 100 $446,500 10 $1,040,931 13 $6,000,744 123

WWD Direct $211,301,564 90 $16,174,000 15 $9,674,400 12 $237,149,964 117

WWD Guaranteed $19,400,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $19,400,000 6

WWD Grants $48,589,085 45 $5,773,700 8 $5,908,200 12 $60,270,985 65

Telecom $149,385,208 32 $377,258 1 $457,028 1 $150,219,494 34

Electric $203,660,000 9 $23,616,000 2 $30,782,000 1 $258,058,000 12

All Other Programs $7,369,783 36 $1,612,516 196 $1,948,528 346 $10,930,827 578

WASHINGTON TOTAL $4,954,055,089 22,760 $682,683,173 3,580 $606,687,005 3,039 $6,243,425,267 29,379

Berg Rose Apartments, in Leavenworth, is one of six central 

Washington apartment complexes slated for rehabilitation.

Washington Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
66 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

West Virginia

Housing Programs

New Partnership Will Help More West Virginians 

Become Homeowners

In June 2016, USDA Rural Development in West Virginia announced 

a new initiative to help low-income rural West Virginians turn their 

dreams of homeownership into a reality. USDA, the Federation 

of Appalachian Housing Enterprises (FAHE)—an Appalachian 

Kentucky-based nonprofit—and the West Virginia Housing 

Development Fund (known as “the Fund”), signed an agreement 

making the Fund the country’s only State housing finance agency 

to offer USDA home loans.

USDA Rural Development direct home loans help low- and verylow-income applicants buy, build, or own safe and affordable homes 

located in rural areas. The loans include payment assistance, a type 

of subsidy, to reduce the mortgage payments for a short time.

“For so many in our State, homeownership is out of reach,” Erica 

Boggess, the Fund’s Acting Executive Director, said. “USDA’s direct 

home loan program opens up new opportunities and gives them 

a real, lasting shot at a crucial part of the American dream. This is a 

great initiative, and we are proud to partner with USDA and FAHE.”

“Housing is a key issue for rural residents,” Jim King, FAHE’s CEO and 

President, remarked. “This partnership will empower them to make 

a better life for themselves and their families. We’ve been working 

with the Fund and USDA for years, and I’m proud of what we have 

accomplished and enthusiastic about where we go from here.”

Allowing West Virginia individuals and families to contact the 

State housing finance agency to apply for USDA home loans will 

help more rural residents access and use the program. “Partners 

like the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and FAHE have 

made this achievement possible, and we are very excited to create 

even more opportunities for rural America in the future,” USDA 

Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez added. “We 

are building communities together in West Virginia and beyond.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $128,535,015 41 $12,051,000 2 $6,340,365 2 $146,926,380 45

IRP $2,031,000 4 $0 0 $750,000 1 $2,781,000 5

Renewable Energy $2,425,636 60 $854,476 24 $780,507 26 $4,060,619 110

Business Grants $3,495,630 40 $356,000 9 $380,000 9 $4,231,630 58

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $94,000 2 $49,993 1 $121,558 3 $265,551 6

SFH Direct $90,548,225 896 $7,274,953 69 $4,003,271 41 $101,826,449 1,006

SFH Guaranteed $1,294,264,683 10,233 $231,305,343 1,734 $226,895,712 1,670 $1,752,465,739 13,637

SFH Repairs $6,205,590 1,272 $549,967 107 $529,930 107 $7,285,487 1,486

SFH Self-Help Grants $107,568 1 $300,000 1 $0 0 $407,568 2

MFH Direct $7,865,958 1 $0 0 $0 0 $7,865,958 1

MFH Guaranteed $8,393,500 9 $1,610,000 2 $500,000 1 $10,503,500 12

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $67,650,660 928 $16,103,880 183 $16,840,276 190 $100,594,816 1,301

CF Direct $174,884,700 76 $11,507,570 11 $24,604,633 5 $210,996,903 92

CF Guaranteed $14,175,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $14,175,000 4

CF Grants $4,308,101 146 $484,262 18 $1,220,750 26 $6,013,113 190

WWD Direct $209,584,600 105 $48,470,000 16 $24,184,000 13 $282,238,600 134

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $113,784,866 120 $11,435,600 15 $6,596,000 12 $131,816,466 147

Telecom $48,301,847 19 $0 0 $1,188,108 3 $49,489,955 22

Electric $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $3,000,000 1

All Other Programs $12,315,820 31 $3,037,806 38 $2,126,654 40 $17,480,279 109

WEST VIRGINIA TOTAL $2,191,972,399 13,989 $345,390,850 2,230 $317,061,764 2,149 $2,854,425,012 18,368

RHS Administrator Tony Hernandez discusses the new agreement about 

how the West Virginia Housing Development Fund will deliver USDA 

direct home loans with stakeholders.

West Virginia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 67 

Wisconsin

Community Programs

USDA Partnership Increases Access 

to Dental Care in Rural Wisconsin

Many rural Wisconsinites were not receiving quality dental care 

because of the distances they had to travel for treatment and 

the expense involved. Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc., 

recognized this concern, and made it their mission to provide 

greater access to affordable, quality oral healthcare in Wisconsin 

rural communities.

Since 2008, USDA Rural Development has partnered with Family 

Health Center to help this healthcare provider carry out its goal. 

Six new dental clinics are now open for business across northern 

Wisconsin, and this year there was a ground-breaking for a 

seventh facility.

USDA Rural Development helped finance the dental care 

centers—in Marshfield, Medford, Menomonie, Neillsville, Park 

Falls, Rhinelander, and Rice Lake—through the Community 

Facilities Program. USDA Rural Development provided more than 

$10.8 million in loans and grants through its regular funding 

channels, and another $5 million through the Recovery Act.

The Family Health Center’s network of dental clinics treats tens 

of thousands of patients each year. Last year alone, nearly 32,000 

patients were served. The annual value of services totals nearly 

$30 million.

The benefits of these clinics extend beyond better dental care 

for patients. The clinics have also provided 215 new jobs in 

rural Wisconsin and contributed to economic growth in the 

communities they serve.

“USDA Rural Development has been a critical capital partner in Family 

Health Center’s efforts to meet the oral health needs of patients who 

would otherwise go without care,” Greg Nycz, Family Health Center 

Executive Director, said. “Together, we are making a big dent in the 

access problem in northern Wisconsin and helping to ensure continued 

economic development in many of our rural communities.”

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $413,231,872 105 $34,533,500 8 $16,941,750 6 $464,707,122 119

IRP $1,842,296 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,842,296 4

Renewable Energy $11,879,248 624 $2,045,829 134 $6,798,054 98 $20,723,131 856

Business Grants $6,750,500 78 $575,000 10 $474,000 7 $7,799,500 95

REDLG $5,720,000 13 $300,000 1 $390,000 1 $6,410,000 15

VAPG $10,471,345 49 $3,548,913 23 $3,702,436 23 $17,722,694 95

SFH Direct $126,030,106 1,116 $13,617,245 128 $14,743,245 123 $154,390,596 1,367

SFH Guaranteed $2,519,102,250 20,557 $372,483,079 2,906 $317,590,315 2,403 $3,209,175,643 25,866

SFH Repairs $6,779,204 1,269 $928,486 157 $593,744 110 $8,301,434 1,536

SFH Self-Help Grants $920,551 3 $608,449 2 $0 0 $1,529,000 5

MFH Direct $16,186,882 34 $446,631 6 $3,144,689 2 $19,778,202 42

MFH Guaranteed $832,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $832,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $1,135,820 6 $0 0 $0 0 $1,135,820 6

Rental Assistance $92,186,856 1,702 $18,584,566 303 $17,855,165 297 $128,626,587 2,302

CF Direct $156,665,175 53 $42,631,900 7 $17,719,500 6 $217,016,575 66

CF Guaranteed $22,545,900 10 $2,600,000 1 $0 0 $25,145,900 11

CF Grants $7,697,459 127 $734,700 13 $694,840 19 $9,126,999 159

WWD Direct $168,347,480 91 $25,435,000 18 $46,900,000 24 $240,682,480 133

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $74,711,798 112 $15,672,500 27 $10,418,095 21 $100,802,393 160

Telecom $336,922,682 72 $9,332,686 7 $1,070,443 4 $347,325,811 83

Electric $490,012,000 16 $31,500,000 3 $94,000,000 2 $615,512,000 21

All Other Programs $10,058,149 51 $1,883,400 355 $3,230,398 686 $15,171,947 1,092

WISCONSIN TOTAL $4,480,029,572 26,093 $577,461,882 4,109 $556,266,674 3,832 $5,613,758,128 34,034

The Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc., dental clinic in Rice Lake, WI.

Wisconsin Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
68 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Wyoming

Water and Environmental Programs

USDA Makes Clean Water Possible 

for Residents of a Growing Community

A USDA Rural Development combination loan and grant totaling 

more than $640,000 helped make safe, sanitary drinking 

water available to 74 homes and businesses near the town of 

Thermopolis, Wyoming.

New growth south of town left a gap in water service growing 

wider by the year. To close the gap, the South Thermopolis Water 

and Sewer District needed more storage at a higher elevation, a 

new booster station, and additional underground distribution lines. 

In addition, the project had to minimize disturbance of the local 

critical wildlife habitat. But the town and surrounding communities 

risked straining their limited resources to meet these goals.

USDA Rural Development stepped into the breach, providing a 

$407,000 loan and grant of almost $234,000. Along with $3.2 million 

in funds for other sources, the USDA assistance financed the 

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $55,576,869 30 $5,745,500 3 $108,500 1 $61,430,869 34

IRP $177,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $177,000 1

Renewable Energy $449,356 20 $239,183 6 $352,312 9 $1,040,851 35

Business Grants $862,869 22 $119,000 4 $105,000 5 $1,086,869 31

REDLG $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $1,550,000 2 $2,550,000 3

VAPG $52,492 2 $30,000 1 $45,930 2 $128,422 5

SFH Direct $38,512,524 279 $7,098,913 43 $12,248,242 67 $57,859,679 389

SFH Guaranteed $1,406,999,300 7,916 $235,186,639 1,258 $163,396,193 895 $1,805,582,132 10,069

SFH Repairs $540,579 97 $44,400 6 $122,936 17 $707,915 120

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $8,183,257 18 $0 0 $0 0 $8,183,257 18

MFH Guaranteed $3,045,597 2 $637,419 1 $0 0 $3,683,016 3

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $26,155,796 232 $4,099,320 37 $6,091,574 50 $36,346,690 319

CF Direct $16,711,400 9 $5,200,000 1 $1,644,000 2 $23,555,400 12

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $683,506 18 $74,700 3 $176,400 8 $934,606 29

WWD Direct $4,673,500 10 $93,000 1 $3,849,000 5 $8,615,500 16

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $9,990,958 14 $819,000 6 $3,821,000 6 $14,630,958 26

Telecom $54,066,957 10 $0 0 $0 0 $54,066,957 10

Electric $253,650,000 13 $0 0 $0 0 $253,650,000 13

All Other Programs $885,328 11 $130,388 14 $126,409 13 $1,142,125 38

WYOMING TOTAL $1,882,217,288 8,705 $259,517,462 1,384 $193,637,496 1,082 $2,335,372,246 11,171

installation of 7.5 miles of drinking water pipeline, a water storage 

tank and meters, and connections for customers to the new service.

The Thermopolis area now has room to grow for many years to come.

Three 30,000-gallon water storage tanks, at an upper elevation of the 

$4 million water project, deliver water to the community below. The 

project was completed in June 2016.

Wyoming Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 69 

Virgin Islands Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $34,950,000 7 $1,300,000 1 $10,000,000 2 $46,250,000 10

IRP $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Renewable Energy $432,310 17 $55,102 3 $134,904 2 $622,316 22

Business Grants $50,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $50,000 1

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $0 0 $0 0 $25,510 1 $25,510 1

SFH Direct $10,286,875 85 $2,444,860 20 $3,067,165 22 $15,798,900 127

SFH Guaranteed $4,617,328 36 $1,585,602 9 $1,050,739 7 $7,253,669 52

SFH Repairs $304,368 45 $63,485 10 $52,500 7 $420,353 62

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $30,069,276 99 $4,480,560 15 $7,675,276 23 $42,225,112 137

CF Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $272,100 2 $251,000 2 $130,900 1 $654,000 5

Telecom $750,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $750,000 1

Electric $13,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $13,000,000 1

All Other Programs $0 0 $128,796 6 $77,796 5 $206,592 11

VIRGIN ISLANDS TOTAL $94,732,257 294 $10,309,405 66 $22,214,790 70 $127,256,452 430

Western Pacific Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2016 Yearly Totals

2009 - 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $27,872,500 9 $2,700,000 1 $5,000,000 1 $35,572,500 11

IRP $1,150,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,150,000 3

Renewable Energy $762,344 12 $338,317 4 $188,290 3 $1,288,951 19

Business Grants $785,272 16 $64,000 1 $64,000 1 $913,272 18

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

VAPG $309,340 2 $3,200 1 $0 0 $312,540 3

SFH Direct $37,242,832 244 $8,746,290 48 $7,742,153 45 $53,731,275 337

SFH Guaranteed $52,894,387 298 $7,895,974 41 $1,988,739 11 $62,779,100 350

SFH Repairs $3,730,719 453 $878,346 118 $1,206,700 150 $5,815,765 721

SFH Self-Help Grants $781,870 5 $846,473 3 $0 0 $1,628,343 8

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Rental Assistance $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Direct $57,930,000 11 $0 0 $12,005,036 3 $69,935,036 14

CF Guaranteed $37,900,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $37,900,000 3

CF Grants $1,563,151 29 $93,900 5 $258,274 11 $1,915,325 45

WWD Direct $88,536,000 12 $0 0 $0 0 $88,536,000 12

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

WWD Grants $15,019,300 2 $25,000 1 $30,000 1 $15,074,300 4

Telecom $122,832,667 7 $493,240 1 $0 0 $123,325,907 8

Electric $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

All Other Programs $8,598,699 6 $1,189,200 2 $1,741,489 2 $11,529,388 10

WESTERN PACIFIC TOTAL $457,909,081 1,112 $23,273,939 226 $30,224,681 228 $511,407,701 1,566
70 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Single-Family 

Housing Direct 

Loans (including 

Self-Help Loans)

Safe, well-built, affordable 

homes for very-lowand low-income rural 

Americans.

Families and 

individuals. 

Buy, build, improve, repair or 

rehabilitate a rural home as 

the applicant’s permanent 

residence.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Direct loan. Up to 100% of market value 

or cost. Loan term of 33/38 

years. Applicant may be 

eligible for payment assistance 

(subsidy) on the loan.

Single-Family 

Housing Loan 

Guarantees

To assist low- to moderateincome applicants/

households in buying their 

homes by guaranteeing 

loans made by private 

lenders.

Families and 

individuals.

Purchase new or existing 

homes and refinance 

existing Rural Development 

guaranteed or direct loans.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Loan guarantee. 30-year, fixed. The interest 

rate is negotiated between 

lender and borrower. Loans 

up to 100% of market value 

plus the amount of the 

up-front guarantee fee being 

financed.

Single-Family 

Housing Repair 

Loans and Grants

To help very-low-income 

applicants remove health 

and safety hazards or repair 

their homes.

Families and 

individuals who 

currently own 

their home.

Repair/replace roof, winterize, 

purchase or repair heating 

system, structural repair, 

water/sewage connect fees, 

etc.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Direct loan 

and grant.

Loans up to $20,000 up to 20 

years at 1%. Grants available 

to very-low-income applicants 

62 years or older unable to pay 

1% loan.

Self-Help Housing 

Technical 

Assistance Grants

Assist lower income families 

in building their own 

homes.

Nonprofits and public 

bodies.

Technical assistance to help 

small groups of families to 

build each other’s homes.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Grant. Grant agreement.

Rural Rental 

Housing Direct 

Loans 

Safe, well-built, affordable 

rental housing for verylow-income individuals 

and families.

Individuals, trusts, 

associations, limited 

partnerships, forprofit and nonprofit 

entities, tribes, public 

bodies.

New construction or 

substantial rehabilitation of 

rental housing.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Direct loan. Up to 100% of total 

development cost 

(nonprofits); 97% (forprofits); 95% (for-profits 

with Low-Income Housing 

Tax Credits). 30-year 

term with up to 50-year 

amortization. 

Rural Rental 

Housing Loan 

Guarantees

Provides guarantees on 

loans to build or preserve 

affordable housing for verylow- to moderate-income 

tenants.

For profit and 

nonprofit lenders.

Build or rehabilitate affordable 

rental housing.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Loan guarantee. At least 25-year term with 

fixed interest rate. Loan 

guarantees up to 90% of the 

principal.

Housing 

Preservation 

Grants

Repair and rehabilitate 

housing owned or occupied 

by very-low- and lowincome rural families.

Public bodies 

and nonprofit 

organizations.

To operate a program that 

finances repair and rehabilitation 

activities for single-family and 

small rental properties.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Grant. Grant agreement.

Farm Labor 

Housing Loans 

and Grants

Safe, well-built affordable 

rental housing for 

farmworkers.

Individuals, public 

and private nonprofit 

organizations.

New construction or 

substantial rehabilitation of 

rental housing.

Not applicable. Direct loan 

and grant.

Up to 102% of total 

development cost. Up to 33 

years to repay at 1% interest.

Community 

Facilities Loans 

and Grants

Improve, develop, or finance 

essential community 

facilities for rural 

communities.

Public bodies, 

nonprofits, and 

Federally recognized 

tribes.

Construct, enlarge, or 

otherwise improve essential 

community facilities, such as 

public safety, fire and rescue, 

telecommunications, schools, 

libraries, hospitals, other 

healthcare facilities, etc.

City, town, or 

unincorporated 

area of not more 

than 20,000 

in population. 

Facilities must 

primarily serve rural 

residents.

Direct loan, loan 

guarantee, or 

grant.

Up to 100% of market value. 

Term is for useful life of the 

facility or equipment, the 

State statute, or 

40 years. Maximum grant 

75% of project cost. Grant 

eligibility based on income, 

population, and need.

Rural Community 

Development 

Initiative

To facilitate housing, 

community facility, and 

community and economic 

development projects.

Private nonprofit or 

public organizations, 

philanthropic 

foundations, 

low-income 

communities.

Technical assistance grants 

of $50,000 to $300,000 to 

develop the capacity and 

ability of awardees to carry 

out needed projects.

City, town, or 

unincorporated 

area of not more 

than 50,000 in 

population.

Grant. Matching funds required 

for grant.

For direct loans and grants, apply to Rural Development. For loan guarantees, apply to participating intermediaries such as approved banks, mortgage 

companies, etc.

Summary of USDA Rural Development Major Programs

Rural Housing Service
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 71 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Business and 

Industry Loan 

Guarantees

Create jobs/stimulate 

rural economies by 

providing financial 

backing for rural 

businesses.

Lenders/Businesses. Real estate, buildings, 

equipment, supplies, 

working capital, and 

some debt refinancing.

All areas except cities 

over 50,000 and their 

contiguous urbanized 

areas.

Loan guarantee. Lender and borrower 

negotiate terms. Up to 

30 years for real estate, 

15 years for machinery and 

equipment, and 

7 years for working capital.

Rural Business 

Development 

Grants

Help startup or expand 

small and emerging 

private businesses and/

or nonprofits in rural 

communities. Note: 

This program, created 

through the 2014 Farm 

Bill, combines the former 

Rural Business Enterprise 

Grant and Rural Business 

Opportunity Grant 

programs.

Public bodies, 

government entities, 

nonprofit entities, 

and Federally 

recognized tribes.

Acquire or develop land, 

buildings, plants and 

equipment; build or 

improve access roads, 

parking areas, utility 

extensions, and water 

and waste disposal 

facilities; provide 

technical assistance; 

establish revolving loan 

funds; and support 

rural distance learning 

programs that provide 

educational or job 

training.

All areas rural in 

character except 

cities over 50,000 

and their contiguous 

urbanized areas.

Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis.

Intermediary 

Relending Program 

Loans 

Establish revolving 

funds for business 

facilities and community 

development projects.

Public bodies, nonprofit 

corporations, Native 

American tribes, and 

cooperatives.

Community 

development projects, 

establish or expand 

businesses, create or 

save rural jobs.

Rural areas and 

incorporated places 

with populations of 

less than 50,000.

Direct loan. The intermediary makes 

loans to businesses from its 

revolving loan fund on terms 

consistent with security 

offered. Intermediary pays 

1% for 30 years.

Rural 

Microentrepreneur 

Assistance Program

Establish revolving funds 

to target assistance to 

small rural enterprises.

Microenterprise 

Development 

Organizations (MDOs).

Loans, technical and 

capacity-building 

assistance to businesses 

with 10 or fewer 

employees and sole 

proprietorships.

All areas except cities 

over 50,000 and their 

contiguous urbanized 

areas.

Loans, grants. Rural microenterprises apply 

directly to the intermediary.

Rural Economic 

Development Loans 

and Grants

Finance economic 

development and job 

creation in rural areas.

Rural Utilities Servicefinanced electric and 

telephone utilities. 

Business startups or 

expansion projects that 

create rural jobs.

Rural areas with 

priority for places 

with populations of 

2,500 or less.

Direct loan or 

grant to establish 

revolving loan fund.

Intermediary makes loans 

to for-profit or nonprofit 

businesses and public bodies. 

Loans are 0% for 10 years.

Rural Cooperative 

Development 

Grants

Establish/operate 

centers for cooperative 

development.

Nonprofits and 

institutions of higher 

education. 

Establish centers to 

provide technical 

assistance, training, 

applied research, 

and collection and 

interpretation of 

data, for the purpose 

of cooperative 

development.

All areas except cities 

over 50,000 and their 

contiguous urbanized 

areas. 

Grant. Minimum 25% fund 

match (5% for 1994 

Institutions). Grants awarded 

competitively.

Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Groups Grants

Provides funds to 

eligible co-ops or co-op 

associations, or co-op 

development centers 

to provide technical 

assistance to small, 

socially disadvantaged 

groups in rural areas. 

Note: formerly known 

as the Small, Socially 

Disadvantaged Producer 

Grant Program.

Cooperatives and co-op 

development centers 

that serve socially 

disadvantaged groups 

where a majority of 

the board of directors 

or governing board is 

comprised of individuals 

who are members of 

socially disadvantaged 

groups.

Technical assistance. All areas, except cities 

over 50,000 and their 

contiguous urbanized 

areas.

Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. There is no 

matching requirement.
72 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Value-Added 

Producer Grants

Help independent 

agricultural producers 

enter into activities that 

add value to 

their crops.

Independent producers, 

farmer and rancher 

cooperatives, producer 

groups, and majoritycontrolled producerbased business 

ventures.

Feasibility studies, 

business plans; working 

capital.

All areas. Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. Funds 

cannot be used to build 

facilities or purchase 

equipment. Funds must be 

matched on a dollar-fordollar basis.

Rural Energy for 

America Program 

(REAP) Loan 

Guarantees and 

Grants

Provide assistance 

for energy efficiency 

improvements or 

purchase a renewable 

energy system for 

operations.

Rural small businesses 

and agricultural 

producers.

Energy efficiency 

improvements, 

renewable energy 

systems, land 

acquisition, and 

working capital.

Cities, towns, 

unincorporated areas 

with populations 

less than 50,000. 

Population limits 

do not apply 

to agricultural 

producers.

Loan guarantee 

and/or grant.

Grants up to 25% of project 

costs not to exceed $250,000 

for energy efficiency projects 

and $500,000 for renewable 

energy. Loan guarantees up 

to 75% of project cost not to 

exceed $25 million.

REAP 

Audit/Development 

Grants

Provide grant to entity to 

pass through to a small 

business or agricultural 

producer for 75% of the 

cost of an energy audit 

or renewable energy 

development assistance.

State, tribal, or 

local government 

institutions of higher 

education; rural electric 

cooperatives; or public 

power entities.

$100,000 grant to 

entities, smaller ones 

to small business and 

agricultural producers 

for 75% of energy 

audit or renewable 

energy development 

assistance.

Cities, towns, 

unincorporated areas 

with populations less 

than 50,000.

Grant. $100,000 to entities and up 

to 75% of the cost of energy 

audit for renewable energy 

development assistance.

Biorefinery, 

Renewable 

Chemical, and 

Biobased Product 

Manufacturing 

Assistance Program 

Loan Guarantees

Provide loan guarantees 

to develop and 

construct commercialscale biorefineries or 

retrofit facilities using 

eligible technology 

for the development 

of advanced biofuels. 

Note: The program was 

formerly known as the 

Biorefinery Assistance 

Program.

Individuals; Indian 

tribes; State or 

local governments; 

corporations; farm 

cooperatives; 

associations of 

agricultural producers; 

national laboratories; 

higher learning 

institutions; rural 

electric co-ops; public 

power entities; or 

consortiums of any of 

the entities.

Loan guarantees to 

develop and construct 

commercial-scale 

biorefineries or retrofit 

facilities to use eligible 

technology for the 

development of 

advanced biofuels.

No restrictions. Loan. 90% (maximum) guarantee 

on loans up to $125 million; 

80% (maximum) guarantee 

on loans less than $150 

million; 70% (maximum) 

guarantee on loans of $150 

million but less than $200 

million; 60% (maximum) 

guarantee on loans of $200 

million up to $250 million.

Repowering 

Assistance Program

Provide payments to 

biorefineries to replace 

fossil fuels with biomass.

Biorefineries. Grant to biorefineries, 

including ethanol and 

biodiesel plants that use 

electricity generated 

from natural gas and 

coal and require this 

for the fermentation 

process.

No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications 

submitted to National Office 

for review. Grant awards 

determined by National 

Office.

Advanced Biofuel 

Payment Program

Provide payments to 

producers of advanced 

biofuels.

Eligible producers of 

advanced biofuels.

Grant to producers 

of advanced biofuels 

(non-cornmercialbased).

No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications 

submitted to National Office 

for review. Grant awards 

determined by National 

Office.

For direct loans and grants, apply to Rural Development. For loan guarantees, apply to participating intermediaries such as eligible banks, etc. 

For revolving funds (RMAP, IRP, and REDLG), intermediaries apply to Rural Development, others to the intermediaries.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

(continued)
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 73 

Rural Utilities Service

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Water and Waste 

Disposal Loans and 

Grants

Provide infrastructure 

for rural areas.

Public entities, Indian tribes 

and nonprofit corporations.

Build, repair, and improve 

public water systems 

and waste collection and 

treatment systems.

Rural areas and towns 

with up to 10,000 in 

population.

Direct loan 

and grant.

Repayment period 

is a maximum of 

40 years. Grant funds 

may be available.

Water and Waste 

Disposal Loan 

Guarantees

Provide infrastructure 

for rural areas.

Public entities, Indian tribes 

and nonprofit corporations.

Construct, repair, and 

improve water supply 

and distribution systems 

and waste collection and 

treatment systems.

Rural areas and towns 

with up to 10,000 in 

population.

Loan 

guarantee.

Eligible lenders obtain 

up to a 90% guarantee 

on loans they make and 

service.

Solid Waste 

Management Grants

Provide technical 

assistance and/or 

training to those who 

operate and maintain 

active landfills.

Public bodies, private 

nonprofit organizations, 

Indian tribes, and academic 

institutions.

Technical assistance and 

training to improve landfill 

conditions and protect 

against threats to nearby 

water resources.

Rural areas, and towns 

with up to 10,000 in 

population.

Grant. Applications accepted 

year-round. Complete 

applications submitted 

to National Office for 

review.

Technical Assistance/ 

Training/Circuit Rider

Provide technical 

assistance and training.

Public, private, and 

nonprofit organizations.

Provide technical assistance 

and training to assist with 

management of water and 

waste projects.

Rural areas and towns 

with up to 10,000 in 

population.

Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications 

submitted to National 

Office for review.

Rural Broadband 

Direct Loans and 

Loan Guarantees

Deployment of 

broadband service 

to eligible rural 

communities. Note: The 

2014 Farm Bill revised 

program provisions. 

An interim rule was 

published in FY 2015.

Entities seeking to provide 

broadband services in rural 

areas.

Funds to construct, improve, 

and acquire facilities and 

equipment to provide 

broadband service in eligible 

rural communities.

Rural areas. Refer to 

the rule for specific 

definition and 

population limits.

Minimum and 

maximum 

loan amounts 

published 

annually in 

the Federal 

Register.

Refer to the rule for loan 

terms and conditions.

Electric and 

Telecommunications 

Loans

Help rural communities 

obtain affordable, highquality electric and 

telecommunications 

services.

Nonprofit and cooperative 

associations, public bodies, 

and other utilities. 

Generation, transmission 

facilities, and distribution 

of electric power, including 

alternative, renewable, 

conservation, and energy 

efficiency programs. 

Enhance 911 emergency 

service, digital switching 

equipment, and fiber 

optic cable, along with 

traditional main system 

telecommunications service.

Electric: areas served 

by an existing rural 

electric borrower, 

or rural areas other 

than a city or town 

of more than 20,000. 

Telecommunications: 

areas or cities with 

populations under 

5,000.

Direct loan 

or loan 

guarantee.

Interest rates are 

established in 

accordance with 

7 CFR 1714. 

Contact RUS at 

www.rd.usda.gov or 

1 (800) 670-6553.

Distance Learning 

and Telemedicine

Develop and 

deploy advanced 

telecommunication 

services throughout 

rural America to 

improve education and 

healthcare.

Incorporated entities, 

including municipalities, 

for-profit, and nonprofit 

corporations that operate 

rural schools, libraries, 

healthcare clinics, and other 

educational or healthcare 

facilities.

To provide end-user 

equipment and 

programming that delivers 

distance learning and 

telemedicine services into 

eligible areas.

Rural areas outside 

incorporated or 

unincorporated cities 

with populations up to 

20,000.

Grant. Awards range from 

$50,000 to $500,000. 

A minimum of 15% in 

matching funds 

is required.

Community Connect 

Grants

Provide public access to 

broadband in otherwise 

unserved communities.

Public bodies, tribes, 

cooperatives, nonprofits, 

limited dividend or mutual 

associations; corporations, 

and other legally organized 

entities.

To build broadband 

infrastructure and establish 

a community center that 

offers free public access to 

broadband for two years.

A single community, 

outside incorporated or 

unincorporated cities, 

with a population over 

20,000 and that does 

not have broadband.

Grant. Minimum: $50,000; 

Maximum: $1 million. 

Amounts are published 

in Notices of Funding 

Availability and may 

vary.

Electric and Telecom Programs: Contact the Rural Utilities Service Administrator; Water Programs: Contact the Rural Development State Office. 

CFR refers to Code of Federal Regulations.
74 | USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report

Summary of Funding Purposes

Land & Bldgs. Mach. & Equip. Working Capital Infrastructure Tech. Asst./Train.

Rural Housing and Community Facilities Programs

Single-Family Housing Direct Loans (including Self-Help Loans) ♦

Single-Family Housing Loan Guarantees ♦

Single-Family Housing Repair Loans/Grants ♦

Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants ♦

Rural Rental Housing Direct Loans ♦ ♦

Rural Rental Housing Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦

Housing Preservation Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Farm Labor Housing Loans/Grants ♦ ♦

Community Facilities Direct Loans, Loan Guarantees, Grants* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Community Development Initiative ♦

Rural Business and Cooperative Programs

Business and Industry Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Business Development Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Intermediary Relending Program Loans ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Cooperative Development Grants ♦ ♦

Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants ♦

Value-Added Producer Grants ♦ ♦ ♦

Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees/Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing 

Assistance Program Loan Guarantees

Repowering Assistance Program

Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

Rural Utilities Programs

Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans, Loan Guarantees, Grants ♦ ♦ ♦

Solid Waste Management Grants ♦

Technical Assistance/Training/Circuit Rider ♦

Rural Broadband Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦

Electric and Telecommunications Direct Loans/Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦ ♦

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans/Grants ♦ ♦

Community Connect Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

* Initial operating expenses are eligible in conjunction with the financing of an eligible community facility project. However, grant funds may not be used to 

fund initial operating expenses.
USDA Rural Development 2016 Progress Report | 75 

Alabama

Montgomery, AL

(334) 279-3400

Idaho

Boise, ID

(208) 378-5623

Minnesota

St. Paul, MN

(651) 602-7800

North Dakota

Bismarck, ND

(701) 530-2037

Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

(801) 524-4320

Alaska

Palmer, AK

(907) 761-7705

Illinois

Champaign, IL

(217) 403-6200

Mississippi

Jackson, MS

(601) 965-4316

Ohio

Columbus, OH

(614) 255-2500

Vermont-New 

Hampshire

Montpelier, VT

(802) 828-6000

Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

(602) 280-8717

Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

(317) 290-3100

Missouri

Columbia, MO

(573) 876-0976

Oklahoma

Stillwater, OK

(405) 742-1000

Virginia

Richmond, VA

(804) 287-1552

Arkansas

Little Rock, AR

(501) 301-3200

Iowa

Des Moines, IA

(515) 284-4663

Montana

Bozeman, MT

(406) 585-2580

Oregon

Portland, OR

(503) 414-3300

Washington

Olympia, WA

(360) 704-7740

California

Davis, CA

(530) 792-5800

Kansas

Topeka, KS

(785) 271-2700

Nebraska

Lincoln, NE

(402) 437-5551

Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA

(717) 237-2299

West Virginia

Morgantown, WV

(304) 284-4860

Colorado

Lakewood, CO

(720) 544-2915

Kentucky

Lexington, KY

(859) 224-7300

Nevada

Carson City, NV

(775) 887-1222

Puerto Rico

San Juan, PR

(787) 766-5095

Wisconsin

Stevens Point, WI

(715) 345-7600

Delaware-Maryland

Dover, DE

(302) 857-3580

Louisiana

Alexandria, LA

(318) 473-7921

New Jersey

Mt. Laurel, NJ

(856) 787-7700

South Carolina

Columbia, SC

(803) 765-5163

Wyoming

Casper, WY

(307) 233-6700

Florida-Virgin Islands

Gainesville, FL

(352) 338-3402

Maine

Bangor, ME

(207) 990-9160

New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

(505) 761-4950

South Dakota

Huron, SD

(605) 352-1100

Georgia

Athens, GA

(706) 546-2162

Mass.-Rhode IslandConnecticut

Amherst, MA

(413) 253-4300

New York

Syracuse, NY

(315) 477-6400

Tennessee

Nashville, TN

(615) 783-1300

Hawaii-Western 

Pacific

Hilo, HI

(808) 933-8380

Michigan

East Lansing, MI

(517) 324-5190

North Carolina

Raleigh, NC

(919) 873-2000

Texas

Temple, TX

(254) 742-1084

USDA Rural Development State Offices
Contact us to learn more at:

USDA Rural Development

National Office

Mail Stop 0107

1400 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20250-0107

1 (800) 670-6553 (toll free)

www.rd.usda.gov

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.
Official, system-of-record funding data for this report was provided by the USDA Rural 

Development National Financial and Accounting Operations Center, St. Louis, Missouri. 

Phone: (314) 457-4152.

Non-Discrimination Policy

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, 

and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from 

discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity 

(including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/

parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or 

reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted 

or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 

deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program 

information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should 

contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, 

program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination 

Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_

cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the 

letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 

form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 

 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov (link sends e-mail).

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

Non-Endorsement Disclaimer

Mention of a trade name or brand name does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation by USDA over similar products not named.
USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.

January 2017