United States Department of Agriculture

USDA Rural Development

2014 Progress Report
ii USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 1 

A Strong Rural Economy is the Foundation 

for a Healthy National Economy

At the February 2014 ceremony in Michigan to sign the 2014 Farm Bill, President Barack Obama 

remarked, “We are now better positioned for the 21st century than any other country on earth.” 

Supporting rural America has been a key goal for President Obama since he took office, as a strong 

rural economy is the foundation for a healthy American economy. I am proud to chair the White 

House Rural Council to help carry out President Obama’s vision to strengthen rural communities, 

and I am proud that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made historic investments in rural America designed to 

drive job growth and ensure the development of a rural economy that is built to last.

USDA Rural Development provides loan and grant financing as well as technical assistance to develop housing, community 

facilities, businesses, infrastructure, and renewable energy ventures in rural areas. In addition to providing direct loan 

and grant assistance, USDA Rural Development also partners with private sector lenders and development organizations 

to carry out local community development projects. Rural Development’s more than 40 financial assistance programs, 

in addition to its ability to leverage private sector resources, give USDA the flexibility to invest in a wide range of projects 

that are reinvigorating rural towns and bringing new job opportunities for local residents. In September 2014, for 

example, USDA Rural Development provided a conditional commitment to guarantee a $105 million loan from the Bank of 

America for Fulcrum Sierra Biofuels, LLC, to build a biorefinery in McCarran, NV, that will produce jet fuel from municipal 

solid waste. This is the first USDA bioenergy investment toward production of bio-jet fuel.

As another example, the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation is using a $500,000 USDA loan to establish a 

revolving fund that will provide microloans to very small businesses (employing 10 or fewer people) in 19 Kentucky 

counties designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission as distressed communities. This project reflects the power 

of our StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative, an effort to combat poverty and target USDA assistance 

to the more than 700 persistent poverty counties in rural areas, including parishes, boroughs, Colonias, and tribal 

reservations in 20 States.

Passage of the 2014 Farm Bill helped ensure that USDA can continue its mission to make strategic investments that 

bolster the rural economy. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America realized since the beginning 

of the Obama Administration and expands access to rural credit through USDA Rural Development for housing, 

community development, infrastructure, and other needs. The Farm Bill is also helping USDA develop new markets for 

rural-made products and increase rural manufacturing.

In July 2014, the White House hosted a Rural Opportunity Investment Conference in Washington, DC, to promote 

investment opportunities in rural America. The conference highlighted opportunities in areas such as the bioeconomy, 

local and regional food systems, and infrastructure. Through this conference and the announcement of the Rural 

Opportunity Investment Initiative, USDA and other Federal agencies are helping to identify rural projects that could be 

potential beneficiaries of the fund as well as other private funding sources. Target investments will include rural water and 

wastewater systems; energy projects; broadband expansion; local and regional food systems; and other rural infrastructure.

USDA Rural Development’s 2014 Progress Report shows the inspiring and innovative work that is going on across 

rural America to help improve the quality of life for rural residents so that they can continue to thrive and prosper in 

America’s heartland. Ultimately, USDA Rural Development’s investments on behalf of rural people and places ripple 

outward to benefit all Americans, no matter where they are, through more abundant goods and services and a stronger 

economic base.

As I often say, USDA is not just about helping farms and farmers. USDA Rural Development’s mission is a great example 

of the extraordinary reach of USDA programs throughout the rural economy. I hope you will enjoy learning more about 

USDA Rural Development’s many successes in fiscal year 2014.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary of Agriculture
2 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Lasting Investments Bring New Economic 

Opportunities to Rural America 

“Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we build an economy 

where everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead? ... This country does best when everyone 

gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.” 

 — President Barack Obama, January 2015

President Barack Obama’s statement about equality and opportunity for all captures the purpose for USDA Rural 

Development. To make good on this vision, the President and Secretary Vilsack have charged our mission area with 

investing in rural communities and ensuring rural Americans have the opportunity to climb the economic ladder. I am 

proud to lead a mission area dedicated to leveraging the strengths of rural areas, building new markets to increase 

regional competitiveness, and expanding investment opportunities that create prosperous, sustainable communities.

With a total portfolio of more than $200 billion and investments upwards of $28 billion in 2014 alone, Rural 

Development is making lasting investments in rural communities. The mission area has a tremendous set of business, 

utilities, housing and community development programs designed to ensure that rural Americans have access to safe, 

affordable homes and community facilities, jobs and business capital, and the benefits of drinking water, broadband, 

electricity and other essential services. 

While the national economy is growing at a good pace, in rural America, there remains a vital need for access to capital 

as well as for strong Federal, State, local, and private-sector partnerships. Rural Development is responding to that need 

with our portfolio of loans, loan guarantees, grants, and a network of dedicated field staff that spans more than 400 

offices across the country. The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that rural communities are economically 

strong, sound, and sustainable. Through initiatives such as the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity and 

Promise Zones, Rural Development is working with partners across USDA and across government to ensure Federal 

support is directed to high-need areas, coordinated, and responsive to locally identified community needs. The Investing 

in Manufacturing Communities Partnership and the Made in Rural America Initiative along with USDA-wide efforts 

around the bioeconomy and Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food build on economic opportunities that rural America is 

well suited to advance including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

There are stories of Rural Development investments changing lives in every State. In my time as Under Secretary, I’ve had 

the opportunity to see some of them first-hand and to listen to the stories of the people who have become homeowners, 

accessed the Internet, and expanded their businesses because of the investments provided by USDA Rural Development.

In Brundidge, AL, I toured the Southern Classic Food Group, a condiment manufacturer that is expanding its business 

and market share with support from Rural Development. In Winona, MS, I announced our investment of $600,000 to 

seed a revolving loan fund for north central Mississippi small businesses, and learned about a mental health center in 

Greenwood, MS, funded by our Community Facilities program that is touching thousands of lives every year. These are 

small improvements that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in rural communities often left behind.

Rural Development investments are informed by local priorities, focused on building economic growth and opportunity, 

and dedicated to making lasting impacts both in rural America and for our overall economy. 

Since 2009, Rural Development has provided grants and loans to help approximately 89,000 rural small businesses grow, 

creating or saving more than 420,000 jobs, and has invested in more than 6,600 critical community projects including 

hospitals, libraries, schools, and public safety facilities. Rural Development has helped more than 900,000 rural families 

buy, repair or refinance a home, and provided funding for more than 3,000 multi-family housing developments. We 

have also invested in new and improved broadband service to nearly 1.5 million rural residents, which expands access 

to state-of-the-art health care, educational and cultural resources, and provides the opportunity for local businesses 

to compete in the global economy. Additionally, we have helped modernize rural electric infrastructure for about 

8.5 million rural residents and businesses, and provided grants and loans for water and waste-water projects to help 

safeguard the health of approximately 14.5 million rural residents.

At USDA Rural Development, many of our employees live and work in the same rural communities alongside our rural 

customers and stakeholder and partner organizations. Aside from our commitment solely to rural America, it is this 

network of staff — in addition to our programs — that makes our mission area unique. 

On behalf of USDA Rural Development, I look forward to continuing our mission and supporting investments that create 

economic prosperity and opportunity for rural Americans in the months and years to come.

Sincerely,

Lisa Mensah

Under Secretary for Rural Development
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 3 

Partners for Prosperity in Rural America

President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack have long 

believed that “strong rural communities are key to a stronger 

rural America.” Research shows that growing and developing 

regional rural economies is central to a Nation’s overall 

health. With abundant natural resources and a history 

of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and resilience, rural 

America possesses abundant opportunities for economic 

growth, innovation, and development.

With a mission of improving the economy and quality of life 

in rural communities and areas, USDA Rural Development 

is designed to serve as a partner and catalyst for rural 

growth and opportunity. Through grants, loans, and loan 

guarantees, Rural Development ensures access to capital 

and makes credit available at reasonable rates and terms 

for a wide range of needs in rural places. Importantly, 

through a network of 400 offices, Rural Development works 

in partnership with rural leaders at the local level to help 

them increase opportunities for community development 

and address any challenges in their communities that may 

present barriers to growth.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 20141

, Rural Development focused on 

creating opportunity for households across America through 

community economic development and by directing 

investments to areas of high need. Rural Development 

also supported economic opportunities unique to rural 

communities, specifically developing a strong bio-based 

economy and supporting local and regional food systems. 

The projects Rural Development helped to finance in 2014, 

and continues to finance, are part of locally led efforts to 

build self-sustaining and thriving rural communities.

The agency is also focused on increasing outreach to 

historically underserved populations including minorities and 

Native Americans. Another way that Rural Development is 

working to increase investments and create opportunity in 

poverty-stricken rural communities is the USDA StrikeForce 

for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative. Now reaching 

20 States and more than 770 persistent poverty areas, 

StrikeForce is ensuring USDA’s work in rural communities 

is communicated, coordinated, and supportive of locally 

identified priorities and partnerships. Through these areas of 

focus and StrikeForce, USDA Rural Development made lasting 

investments that improved the quality of life for millions of 

rural Americans in 2014.

All told, through more than 40 loan, grant, and technical 

assistance programs, Rural Development provided more 

than $28 billion in direct and guaranteed loans and 

grants in 2014 for nearly 170,000 awards that helped 

rural individuals, families, business owners, agricultural 

producers, and communities.

This report illustrates the innovative ways in which Rural 

Development financing is transforming the landscape of rural 

America and, most importantly, directly helping to improve 

the well-being of millions of rural people.

1

October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014
4 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

StrikeForce Results

Today, USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative 

— to support rural counties suffering 

from persistent poverty through 

coordinated efforts that promote 

economic development — is active in 

770 counties and target areas in 20 

States. Since StrikeForce’s inception in 

2010, USDA has partnered with more 

than 500 organizations on 109,000 

projects ranging from home loans to 

summer feeding programs that have 

directed $13.7 billion in investments to 

the poorest places in rural America.

In FY 2014, USDA Rural Development 

created, saved, or retained more 

than 3,500 jobs in StrikeForce areas. 

For instance, the agency provided 

Superior Battery, a locally owned 

and operated manufacturer located 

in Russell Springs, KY, with a $10 

million Business and Industry program 

loan guarantee in partnership with 

local lender Community Trust Bank. 

Superior Battery is using the funds 

to make its manufacturing processes 

more efficient to ensure that the 

company stays competitive, in an 

industry where hundreds of other 

battery manufacturers have gone 

out of business. Superior Battery’s 

improvements are helping the firm 

save money and increase profits. They 

have also allowed the company to 

save more than 160 jobs and create 

25 jobs. Russell Springs is the seat of 

Russell County, a Kentucky persistentpoverty county included in the USDA 

StrikeForce Initiative.

USDA Rural Development funded more 

than 1,600 projects in Fiscal Year 2014 

in StrikeForce communities in the 20 

active StrikeForce States.

Superior Battery used USDA support to make its manufacturing process more efficient and hire new 

workers at its battery manufacturing plant in Russell Springs, KY.

USDA-Wide Since 2010:

USDA has supported over 109,000 projects

• $13.7 billion in investments

• More than 500 partner organizations

• Active in 770 counties in 20 States

Rural Development FY 2014 Results:

Created or saved over 3,500 rural jobs

• Supported over 1,600 projects

• Investments from all 3 agencies

• Active in 770 counties in 20 States

USDA and USDA Rural Development

StrikeForce Results
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 5 

Rural Opportunity 

Investment Initiative

Rural communities have significant 

infrastructure needs, limited access 

to credit, and an abundance of 

investment opportunities. To identify 

opportunities, reduce barriers to 

investment, and connect projects with 

investors, the White House hosted 

a Rural Opportunity Investment 

(ROI) Conference in July 2014. USDA 

subsequently launched the Rural 

Opportunity Investment Initiative with 

the purpose of stimulating investment 

in rural places. This initiative is intended 

to encourage more private-sector 

investment in rural infrastructure such 

as rural water and wastewater systems, 

energy projects, broadband expansions, 

and local and regional food systems.

An important tool for increasing private 

investment in rural communities is 

Rural Development’s Rural Business 

Investment Program, which supports 

start-up of venture capital firms. In FY 

2014, USDA announced license of a 

$150 million Rural Business Investment 

Corporation (RBIC), and Rural 

Development is working with partners 

to create and license additional RBICs 

in the coming year.

ROI efforts are concentrated in finding 

innovative ways to leverage privatesector capital through existing activities 

and the creation of new partnerships, 

such as connecting business, 

infrastructure and housing markets in 

rural communities with this capital, 

which historically has not been focused 

in these development areas.

Help for Veterans

A disproportionate share of our 

military personnel comes from rural 

America. When these veterans, 

who have sacrificed so much for our 

country, return stateside, USDA Rural 

Development stands ready to help 

ensure that they have the support 

and access to capital that they need. 

Rural America offers tremendous 

opportunities for veterans to start 

or expand a small business, get into 

farming or ranching, or simply to buy a 

home and raise a family.

In 2014, for example, the agency 

provided a Value-Added Producer Grant 

to help KJ’n Ranch, a veteran-owned 

sheep and lamb ranch in Helena, MT, 

expand its business and generate 

new revenue through cheese-making. 

Another grant went to a small Nebraska 

business owned by a former Marine, 

who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, to 

begin selling farm fresh eggs. Another 

example of Rural Development support 

for our veterans includes financing for 

improvements to The Bridge House, 

Inc. The Bridge House is a veterans and 

homeless advocacy center in Plymouth, 

NH, that provides job training as well 

as mental health and onsite nursing 

services to clients.

Assistance for Native 

American Communities

Over the past year, USDA Rural 

Development helped to usher more 

than $290 million into housing, 

infrastructure, and economic 

development projects that directly 

benefitted Native American tribal 

communities. The agency helped more 

than 1,000 people in Indian Country 

purchase a home or make critical 

repairs and improvements to their 

home. Rural Development provided 

loans that helped tribal-owned 

businesses create or save more than 

150 jobs in Indian Country.

For example, the Passamaquoddy 

Tribe used a $99,500 Rural Business 

Enterprise Grant to establish a loan 

fund to support tribal-owned maple 

syrup businesses in Maine. USDA Rural 

Development provided a Rural Business 

Opportunity Grant to the United 

South and Eastern Tribes to develop a 

comprehensive economic development 

plan for 26 tribes in the Southern and 

Eastern United States.

Enterprise grants finance and facilitate 

small and emerging rural businesses; 

opportunity grants promote sustainable 

economic development in rural 

communities with exceptional needs. 

(Under the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress 

consolidated these two USDA business 

grant programs. The agency is working 

to develop regulations to implement 

this change.)

Since the start of the Obama 

Administration, USDA Rural Development 

has invested more than $2.6 billion 

in housing, business, cooperative, 

community-based, and rural 

infrastructure projects benefitting Native 

Americans and Alaska Native Tribes.
6 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

The Passamaquoddy Tribe received a $99,500 Rural Business Enterprise Grant to support tribal-owned maple syrup businesses in Maine. Karl Nicholas, 

Passamaquoddy Tribe Forestry Technician, demonstrates proper tapping techniques.

Over $290 million 

for tribal community 

economic development

• 1,000+ Native Americans 

got affordable financing to 

buy or repair their homes

• Tribal-owned small 

businesses created or 

saved 150+ rural jobs

USDA Rural Development

Investments for Native American Communities

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

Rural Housing 

Service:

Rural BusinessCooperative 

Service:

Rural Utilities 

Service:

Over $162.8 million in assistance

• $12.1 million for essential community facilities

• 116 direct home loans (7 on tribal lands)

• 961 guaranteed home loans, and

• 229 home repair loans and grants (110 on tribal lands).

Over $41.3 million in assistance

• 40 grants to start or expand tribal businesses, and

• 5 grants to add value to tribal farm products.

Over $86.7 million in assistance

• $23.4 million for electric utilities

• 26 distance learning and telemedicine grants 

(for $9.4 million), and

• $53.3 million for water and waste treatment systems.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 7 

Support for Local and Regional Food Systems

A surge in consumer demand for locally produced food is 

creating jobs and opportunity throughout rural America. 

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) is a USDA-wide 

effort to carry out President Obama’s commitment to 

strengthening local and regional food systems.

Through the local foods movement, beginning farmers 

are finding an entry point into agriculture through local 

markets and experienced farmers are diversifying their 

sales to capture added value through local branding. 

Small businesses are developing new packing, processing, 

distribution, and retail opportunities. Further, consumers are 

learning more about where their food comes from and are 

gaining access to fresh, local foods.

Local and regional food is already a multi-billion-dollar 

market and is growing quickly. Investment in this sector can 

be a way to provide farmers with a higher share of the food 

dollar. Additionally, money spent at a local rural business 

often continues to circulate within the community, creating a 

multiplier effect and providing greater economic benefits to 

the area.

To support this effort, USDA Rural Development financed 

more than 280 local and regional food projects in FY 2014. 

More than 200 involved the creation of markets and 

investments in local food infrastructure. Rural Development’s 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) awarded nearly 

$77.5 million in grants, guaranteed loans, and direct loans to 

develop or expand local and regional food businesses. Rural 

Development’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) provided $5.1 

million in Community Facilities funding for 58 projects that 

support local food systems.

This level of investment was made possible in part through 

the 2014 Farm Bill, which directed more resources toward 

local food enterprises. In addition to creating better 

risk management tools and credit options for small and 

diversified farms, providing financing options for food 

hubs and farmers markets, and expanding access to local 

foods in underserved areas, the Farm Bill increased Rural 

Development’s ability to support local and regional food 

systems through a set-aside in the RBS Business and Industry 

(B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program for projects that expand 

local food business enterprises. It also provided significant 

funds for the Value-Added Producer Grant program, 

continued the Community Facilities program, and authorized 

a new Rural Business Development Grant program, all of 

which are important tools for communities looking to finance 

local foods projects.
8 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Rural Development Programs FY 2009 - FY 2014 Yearly Totals

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.

Loan Portfolio # of Loans Amount of Principal Outstanding

DIRECT PORTFOLIO

Housing and Community Facilities 

 Single-Family Housing 291,968 $15,415,802,962

 Multi-Family Housing 24,716 $10,914,281,000

 Community Facility 5,970 $5,049,715,000

Total Housing & Community Facilities 322,654 $31,379,798,962

Utilities 

 Water & Waste 16,676 $12,425,766,000

 Electric 2,978 $46,431,536,087

 Telecommunications 1,525 $4,411,669,475

Total Utilities 21,179 $63,268,971,562

Business and Cooperative 

 Business and Industry 40 $23,569,000

 RMAP 84 $23,914,016

 Intermediary Relending Program 1,061 $422,227,000

 Rural Economic Development 379 $158,214,456

Total Business & Cooperative 1,564 $627,924,472

Total Direct Portfolio 345,397 $95,276,694,996

GUARANTEED PORTFOLIO

Housing and Community Facilities 

 Single-Family Housing 873,186 $102,281,768,559

 Multi-Family Housing 648 $785,939,681

 Community Facility 684 $1,247,462,398

Total Housing & Community Facilities 874,518 $104,315,170,638

Utilities

 Water & Waste 74 $96,223,011

 Electric/Other 17 $247,912,430

Total Utilities 91 $344,135,441

Business and Cooperative 

 Business and Industry 3,331 $6,298,413,586

Total Business & Cooperative 3,331 $6,298,413,586

Total Guaranteed Portfolio 877,940 $110,957,719,665

TOTAL LOAN PORTFOLIO 1,223,337 $206,234,414,661

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $6,622,825,389 2,448 $939,339,929 357 $1,084,020,173 349 $8,646,185,491 3,154

IRP $103,742,073 229 $17,420,000 26 $18,889,403 26 $140,051,476 281

Renewable Energy $600,454,330 9,335 $119,748,210 2,314 $117,120,533 1,354 $837,323,073 13,003

Business Grants $181,482,476 2,506 $25,757,117 425 $30,423,439 472 $237,663,032 3,403

REDLG $163,069,619 333 $59,286,938 93 $94,879,524 107 $317,236,081 533

VAPG $64,841,350 497 $18,539,434 119 $16,264,787 146 $99,645,571 762

SFH Direct $5,623,704,080 47,471 $827,817,571 7,124 $809,060,301 6,575 $7,260,581,952 61,170

SFH Guaranteed $69,050,868,108 541,618 $22,350,262,084 162,943 $19,051,253,068 139,828 $110,452,383,260 844,389

SFH Repairs $218,191,926 38,544 $41,503,035 7,006 $42,094,976 7,042 $301,789,937 52,592

SFH Self-Help Grants $125,788,073 235 $25,654,222 45 $12,362,875 22 $163,805,170 302

MFH Direct $456,812,407 787 $49,999,810 74 $85,143,917 132 $591,956,134 993

MFH Guaranteed $398,830,605 282 $52,226,602 39 $136,162,031 98 $587,219,238 419

Farm Labor Housing $137,259,942 151 $27,721,315 24 $50,595,384 36 $215,576,640 211

Rental Assistance $3,739,580,129 37,451 $837,053,728 8,070 $1,109,913,034 10,311 $5,686,546,891 55,832

CF Direct $4,037,070,776 2,439 $1,316,695,198 504 $929,512,201 418 $6,283,278,175 3,361

CF Guaranteed $970,375,234 307 $101,036,154 35 $125,610,650 28 $1,197,022,038 370

CF Grants $297,504,094 5,212 $22,085,066 764 $33,672,783 900 $353,261,943 6,876

WWD Direct $5,737,312,540 3,235 $876,811,549 553 $824,364,570 542 $7,438,488,659 4,330

WWD Guaranteed $52,933,714 25 $18,010,350 6 $7,248,840 5 $78,192,904 36

WWD Grants $3,115,545,220 3,447 $422,489,290 596 $656,417,510 780 $4,194,452,020 4,823

Telecom $6,054,710,573 1,190 $308,445,180 35 $285,612,608 195 $6,648,768,361 1,420

Electric $23,348,421,889 629 $4,910,308,000 136 $2,768,319,938 97 $31,027,049,827 862

Other Programs $1,249,196,381 1,383 $66,871,149 233 $240,490,709 287 $1,556,558,239 1,903

Grand Total $132,350,520,927 699,754 $33,435,081,931 191,521 $28,529,433,254 169,750 $194,315,036,112 1,061,025

Rural Development Loan Portfolio as of September 30, 2014

Rural Development Programs FY 2009 - FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 9 

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 Enterprise and Rural Business Opportunity 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 Rural Rental 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

All 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 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 All other refers to smaller scale programs: RHS Rural Housing Site Loans, Housing Application Packaging, Individual Water and Waste, Technical and 

Supervisory Assistance, and Housing Preservation Grants, Multi-Family Housing Preservation and Revitalization Loans and Grants; RBS Rural Business 

Investment and Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Programs, Rural Cooperative Development and Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants; and 

RUS Bulk Fuel, High Energy Cost Grant, Rural Alaska Village Grant, and Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Programs.
10 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) 

makes investments that are essential to the continued 

success and prosperity of rural residents and the small 

communities in which they live. The agency helps individuals 

and rural communities through loans, grants, and technical 

assistance to develop rural single- and multi-family housing 

properties, and essential community facilities such as 

schools, health clinics, or fire stations. RHS’s affordable 

housing programs for very low- and low-income families 

— and its financing to develop and equip essential 

community facilities — are an important part of the Federal 

Government’s social safety net that protects economically 

vulnerable individuals and groups, especially in remote and 

under-served locales.

Single-Family Housing Investments

In FY 2014, RHS helped more than 153,430 families with 

modest incomes buy or repair their homes through its 

direct and guaranteed single-family housing loan programs, 

including more than 32,400 low- and very low-income 

borrowers. More than 6,500 families received affordable 

home loans through the Single-Family Housing Direct Loan 

Program, which awarded more than $808 million during 

the fiscal year. Almost 870 families helped to construct their 

own homes through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, 

one of RHS’s single-family housing programs. Under this 

program, groups of families work together to build each 

other’s homes, with guidance from a qualified construction 

supervisor. Their labor helps to reduce the overall cost of 

each participant’s mortgage loan. The 870 families that 

participated in self-help housing projects in 2014 each built 

about $25,000 in equity in their brand-new homes.

Additionally, nearly 7,000 rural homeowners were able to 

repair their homes in 2014 through RHS’s Single-Family 

Housing Repair Loan and Grant Program. The agency 

provided more than $28.2 million in grants to help 4,670 

very low-income, elderly rural residents remove health and 

safety hazards from their homes.

Through the Guaranteed Single-Family Housing Loan 

Program, RHS guarantees home loans made by private-sector 

lenders for rural families with moderate incomes. In 2014, 

the agency helped almost 140,000 individuals and families 

become homeowners through the program, providing more 

than $19 billion in loan guarantees. This included assisting 

more than 1,750 economically distressed families stay in their 

homes by refinancing their USDA home loans through the 

guaranteed loan program at more favorable rates and terms.

RHS Streamlines Single-Family 

Guaranteed Loan Delivery

During FY 2014, RHS made several improvements to the 

single-family housing guaranteed loan program to better serve 

the private-sector lenders participating in the program and the 

millions of rural Americans who are the ultimate beneficiaries 

of the loans. RHS has developed an Automated Loan Closing 

system to accelerate application processing and loan closings 

by eliminating outdated, cumbersome paper-based handling.

Last spring and summer, RHS launched a coordinated 

outreach and communication strategy to encourage more 

lenders to begin using the automated system. Between the 

third and fourth quarter of FY 2014, the number of lenders 

who switched to the automated system rose 76 percent. 

Today, about 90 percent of all loan closings are being 

handled through automation.

The agency plans to implement additional automation 

improvements in 2015, such as accepting electronic 

signatures for conditional commitments and loan note 

guarantees. RHS estimates that, when all the automation 

enhancements are complete, private lenders and the public 

will save about $7.5 million each year. Eliminating paperbased transactions will save lenders an average of $25 

on each loan they process. Therefore, applicants also will 

benefit from lower fees for processing their applications. 

This is a great example of the Obama Administration’s 

commitment to process improvements and greater efficiency 

in delivering Federal assistance programs.

Rural Housing Service: Essential Community-Focused 

Investment in the Rural America Heartland
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 11 

First Native American Self-Help Project 

in New Mexico Breaks Ground

USDA Rural Development awarded the Zuni Pueblo Housing 

Authority, in Zuni Pueblo, NM, a $279,000 self-help housing 

technical assistance grant to start and oversee the State’s 

first-ever Native American self-help housing project. The 

authority used the funds to launch the project and supervise 

the construction of 12 self-help homes that are being built 

by very low-income Zuni Pueblo residents in the Bluebird 

housing subdivision. None of these Native American families 

have ever owned their own homes before, and many have 

been renters for 15 years or more.

Homeownership will help these families achieve greater 

financial prosperity in the future by building credit and 

increasing their equity in their homes. Additionally, because 

of this project’s success, the Zuni Pueblo Housing Authority 

plans to build 138 more homes for very low-income families 

in the Bluebird subdivision, for a total of 150 properties, 

through USDA’s Mutual Self-Help housing program.

Multi-Family Housing Investments

In addition to homeownership opportunities, the Rural 

Housing Service provides safe, decent, affordable rental 

housing opportunities for families, the elderly, people with 

disabilities, and veterans in rural America through its suite 

of multi-family housing direct loans, guaranteed loans and 

grants. In FY 2014, the agency helped more than 10,000 

families by building or revitalizing 4,000 multi-family housing 

apartment complexes in rural areas through more than 

$272 million in direct loans, guaranteed loans, and grants.

USDA provides rental assistance to the landlords of USDAfinanced multi-family housing properties to help very 

low-income residents at the complexes afford their monthly 

rent. In 2014, RHS provided a record $1.1 billion in rental 

assistance that helped 270,000 rural families with limited 

means pay the rent.

Rural Development also partnered with USDA’s Food and 

Nutrition Service (FNS) and participated in the 2014 FNS 

Summer Food Program to provide nutritious meals to lowincome children who require food assistance while school 

is not in session. Food delivery services were provided for 

these nutritionally at-risk children through the Summer Food 

Program at 144 rural multi-family housing properties.

RHS’s Farm Labor Housing Program provides loans and 

grants to develop multi-family housing for farm laborers and 

their families who, despite being essential to the agriculture 

industry, have historically struggled with severe poverty 

and extremely substandard housing conditions. In 2014, 

RHS helped more than 615 farmworker families obtain safe, 

attractive rental housing through $48 million in Farm Labor 

Housing financing.
12 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Modern, Attractive Housing 

for California Migrant Workers

USDA Rural Development provided a $3.3 million lowinterest Farm Labor Housing loan to build Coachella Valley 

Villa Hermosa — apartment-style housing for migrant 

workers — in Indio, CA. Construction began in 2012. The 

complex is adjacent to the Fred Young Labor Camp, which 

opened in the late 1930s as one-room, dirt-floor wooden 

shacks. The shacks were converted in the 1960s to small, 

cinder-block apartments without heat or air conditioning.

RHS provided a second $3 million loan in FY 2014 to finance 

a second phase of construction at Villa Hermosa. It will 

finance 68 more apartments for the remaining people who 

still live at the nearby Fred Young camp. The new building 

will have spacious units with heat and air conditioning, 

private patios, washer/dryers, dishwashers, a community 

center, a garden, playgrounds, and a computer lab. For some 

residents, this will be their first home with carpets.

Community Facilities Investments

RHS Community Facilities direct loans, guaranteed loans, 

and grants finance essential facilities in rural areas. Priority 

for funding is given for health care, education, and public 

safety projects. Community Facilities assistance supports 

hospitals, health care clinics, schools, police and fire stations, 

food banks, community centers, and many other communitybased initiatives. The agency’s Community Facilities program 

is a key part of Rural Development’s overall community 

economic development efforts. In FY 2014, RHS helped 

hundreds of rural communities buy or build essential 

community facilities.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has made access to quality 

health care for rural Americans a top priority at USDA. 

Through RHS’s Community Facilities program, the agency 

helped provide health care services for nearly 4 million rural 

residents in FY 2014 in facilities ranging from mental health 

clinics to hospitals. The agency invested $85 million for 34 

rural mental health care projects in 23 States. 

RHS’s Community Facilities financing also helped more 

than 2 million rural Americans access fire, rescue, and 

other critical public safety programs that protect their 

communities. Additionally, the program helped provide more 

than 3.6 million rural residents with access to education and 

cultural infrastructure, including schools, college dormitories, 

libraries, museums, and child care centers. 

RHS funded 58 local and regional food systems projects in FY 

2014 through $5.1 million in Community Facilities assistance, 

as part of USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

Initiative to increase consumers’ access to fresh, nutritious, 

locally produced foods. RHS awarded more than $4.1 million 

to help tribal colleges develop or improve their educational 

facilities for Native American community members. The 

funds supported 29 tribal colleges in rural areas.

All told, RHS helped 14 million rural residents in FY 2014 

through new or improved access to essential health 

care, public safety, and educational facilities. More than 

1,000 rural communities were served, and thousands of 

essential community facilities were developed through 

$1.09 billion in Community Facilities direct loans, 

guaranteed loans, and grants.

USDA provided a $145,300 Native American Community Facilities grant to the Tohono O’odham Community College in Arizona to construct a new 

1,800-square-foot building.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 13 

USDA Helps One of Georgia’s 

Largest Food Banks Expand 

Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc., in Thomasville, is 

the State’s largest food bank outside of the Atlanta metro 

area, serving 30 southern Georgia counties. More than 90 

percent of its service area, a region spanning 23 counties, 

has experienced high poverty in recent years. USDA Rural 

Development provided Second Harvest with a $5.2 million 

Community Facilities loan to build a 30,000-square-foot food 

warehouse and 65,000-square-foot regional food distribution 

center that includes a commercial kitchen and an indoor/

outdoor marketplace.

The Community Facilities assistance helped Second Harvest 

position itself as a food hub. Through its expanded facilities, 

Second Harvest is providing local farmers and ranchers with 

cold storage space, hosting a weekend farmers market, and 

purchasing food from local producers. It is able to store up to 

5 million pounds of food. Second Harvest provides more than 

16 million pounds of food each year to Georgia non-profit 

agencies and other food banks.

The Community Facilities financing for Second Harvest 

supported USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

and StrikeForce Initiatives to combat the effects of rural 

poverty. Twenty-three of the 30 counties served by Second 

Harvest are StrikeForce counties that USDA has targeted 

for priority assistance.

Single-Family Housing:

Over 153,430 families served

$19.9 billion to build, repair and refinance

Multi-Family Housing:

Over 266,600 families served

$1.39 billion to build, renew and refinance

Rural Housing Service

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

Community Facilities:

Over 1,000 communities served

$1.09 billion to build, equip and modernize
14 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development’s Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) 

creates jobs and stimulates economic 

development by funding the growth 

and creation of rural businesses and 

cooperatives. In FY 2014, RBS helped 

more than 9,800 rural small businesses, 

agricultural producers, and cooperative 

organizations through $1.5 billion in 

loans, loan guarantees, and grants. As of 

September 30, 2014, RBS administered 

a $6.9 billion portfolio of direct and 

guaranteed loans.

RBS is the primary Federal agency that 

provides financing, technical assistance, 

and other resources to support the startup or expansion of rural businesses. RBS 

funds and cooperative agreements — 

along with a wide array of educational 

and research materials — also support 

cooperative business enterprises. 

Thanks to new authorities provided 

under the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills, 

RBS’s mission has expanded to include 

developing new sources of renewable 

energy and advanced biofuels, and 

helping agricultural producers and rural 

businesses make their operations more 

energy- and cost-efficient.

Made in Rural America Initiative

In February 2014, President Obama 

launched a new “Made in Rural 

America” Initiative to help rural 

businesses and leaders take advantage 

of emerging investment opportunities, 

new customers, and markets outside 

the United States by promoting ruralproduced goods and services.

RBS played a major role in helping 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and 

the Obama Administration carry out 

the Made in Rural America Initiative’s 

objectives in 2014. During the year, 

USDA and RBS hosted a series of 

regional forums with partners such as 

the National Association of Counties, 

the Delta Regional Authority, and the 

Appalachian Regional Commission. 

USDA and RBS officials informed rural 

business owners and community 

leaders about this new initiative and 

Federal resources that can increase 

rural business activity.

A Rural Opportunity Investment 

Conference that USDA hosted in July 

was part of this effort to increase 

awareness of the role that the rural 

economy has in ensuring a strong 

national economy — and the great 

opportunities that there are for 

investment in rural communities 

across the country. In October, USDA 

released a Made in Rural America

report highlighting rural business, 

manufacturing, and infrastructure 

development investments in each State. 

For example, in Oregon, since the start 

of the Obama Administration, USDA 

loans and grants including $277.7 million 

in rural manufacturing investments, 

have helped more than 390 businesses 

and supported 26,180 jobs. 

In FY 2014, USDA Rural Development 

provided Sustainable Northwest, a 

non-profit in Portland, OR, with a 

$64,990 Rural Business Enterprise Grant 

to find commercial uses and markets 

for Western Juniper, a widespread 

but often unwanted and problematic 

species in central and eastern parts of 

the State. The project will help create 

timber and forestry jobs in rural Oregon 

and contribute to ecosystem restoration 

by identifying additional uses for 

Western Juniper wood products.

USDA, RBS, and other partners also 

licensed a $150 million investment 

fund in 2014 that will help propel 

small-business growth across 

rural America. This Rural Business 

Investment Company, or RBIC, will 

allow private equity investments in 

agriculture-related businesses, including 

bio-manufacturing, advanced energy 

production, local and regional food 

systems, improved farming technologies, 

and other cutting-edge fields.

RBS Investments in 

Renewable Energy

USDA Rural Development’s Rural 

Business-Cooperative Service provided 

more than $117 million in guaranteed 

loans and grants in 2014 for projects 

to develop renewable energy sources 

such as advanced biofuels and to 

make rural farms, ranches, dairies, 

and rural businesses more energy 

efficient. Renewable energy projects 

help create jobs in rural areas, promote 

U.S. energy independence, and lead to 

further expansion of the growing and 

increasingly significant bioeconomy.

Through RBS’s Rural Energy for 

America Program (REAP), the agency 

awarded $68 million in loan guarantees 

and grants to help 540 agricultural 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Reinvigorating Rural America 

Through Business, Cooperative, and Renewable Energy Development
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 15 

producers and rural business owners 

reduce their energy costs and 

environmental impact. For instance, 

in North Carolina, Broadway Solar 

Center, LLC received a $3 million 

REAP loan guarantee to help finance 

a 5-megawatt solar array in Columbus 

County, a $4.9 million loan guarantee 

for a solar project in Hertford County, 

and a $2.1 million guarantee for one in 

Warren County.

In Union County, NC, Derek Phillips, 

owner of Phillips Poultry Farm, used 

a $40,000 REAP grant to lower his 

monthly utility bills by installing attic 

insulation and sidewall enclosures in 

his three poultry houses that shelter 

240,000 chickens. The improvements 

are helping him save more than more 

than $4,000 per year. They are also 

saving 187 million BTUs and 12,000 

kilowatts of energy annually.

“These are older poultry houses, and 

replacement was not an affordable 

option for us,” Philips said. “With the 

assistance provided by USDA, I was able 

to upgrade and improve the existing 

houses rather than replace them.”

Assistance for Biorefineries, 

Biofuels Development

RBS provided a $91 million loan 

guarantee through the Biorefinery 

Assistance Program to help finance 

Cool Planet, an innovative advanced 

biofuel plant in Rapides Parish, LA. 

USDA is backing a loan from Silicon 

Valley Bank that will help the company 

finish construction on a biofuel plant 

at Louisiana’s Port of Alexandria. USDA 

biorefinery assistance financing supports 

new and emerging technologies to 

develop advanced biofuels.

At full capacity, Cool Planet’s facilities 

will produce 8 to 10 million gallons 

of reformate per year. Often referred 

to as a “drop-in” fuel, reformate is 

an ingredient in gasoline and jet fuel 

that can be added during the regular 

refinery process. Reformate enhances 

the energy content of gasoline, diesel, 

and jet fuel. Cool Planet will use pine 

chips as its feedstock source, but the 

company can use almost any renewable 

cellulosic material. Cool Planet’s facility 

will produce biochar, a bioenergy 

byproduct that can sequester carbon 

and potentially reduce atmospheric 

greenhouse gasses. 

RBS has awarded a conditional 

commitment on a $105 million loan 

guarantee to Fulcrum Sierra Biofuels, 

LLC, a biorefinery in Nevada, to produce 

renewable jet fuel from municipal solid 

waste, and has outstanding conditional 

commitments for plants in Florida, Iowa, 

Michigan, North Carolina, and Oregon.

The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the 

Biorefinery Assistance Program to 

include bio-based renewable chemicals 

and bio-based product manufacturing. 

This year, RBS is developing regulations 

to implement the new requirements.

USDA Invests in Cooperatives

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

is a major source of information about 

cooperatives, a business model that can 

increase community wealth through 

member-ownership and decisionmaking. In addition to information 

and technical assistance for rural 

residents who are looking to form new 

cooperatives or improve the operation 

of existing ones, Rural Development 

provides access to capital through a 

number of grant and loan programs.

For example, in FY 2014, RBS provided 

$5.8 million to 32 non-profit groups and 

higher education institutions through 

Derek Phillips (center) with RBS Administrator Lillian Salerno and North Carolina State Director 

Randall Gore discusses how the REAP grant made it possible to upgrade his poultry houses and save 

on energy costs.
16 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

the Rural Cooperative Development 

Grant (RCDG) program. These funds can 

be used to conduct feasibility studies, 

create and implement business plans, 

offer technical assistance, establish 

low-interest loans, and help rural 

businesses develop new markets for 

products and services. Additional 

support for cooperatives is available 

through many other Rural Development 

programs including the Value-Added 

Producer Grant program, the Small 

Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant 

program, and the Rural Utilities Service, 

which has a history of partnership with 

the Nation’s rural electric cooperatives 

that spans nearly a century.

Several grants to cooperatives made 

through the RCDG program were used 

to support local and regional food 

projects. For example, the Virginia 

Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation 

and Rural Sustainability is using its 

$200,000 technical assistance grant 

to help meat-processing cooperatives 

link producers with local and regional 

consumers and to provide education 

and training. The Cooperative Network 

in Wisconsin is using its $200,000 grant 

to help establish cooperatives focusing 

on health care, local foods, and senior 

housing. It will also use the funds to 

help Native American tribal members in 

Wisconsin form a cooperative.

Since the beginning of the Obama 

Administration, USDA has assisted 

more than 2,500 businesses through 

200 cooperative development grants 

totaling approximately $38.4 million. 

In addition to financial support, USDA 

Rural Development maintains a library 

of publications on cooperatives; a 

directory of rural farmer, rancher, and 

fishery co-ops; and statistical data on 

cooperative performance and trends. 

This information is accessible through 

Rural Development’s Website.

RBS Investments in Regional 

and Local Foods

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

provided major support for local and 

regional food systems in FY 2014. Using 

a combination of grants, guaranteed 

loans, and direct loans, RBS awarded 

nearly $77.5 million for 231 projects to 

develop or expand local and regional 

food businesses.

RBS supported a wide array of local 

foods activities, including meat 

processing, value-added products, 

commercial and community kitchens, 

farmers markets, food hubs, 

community-supported agriculture, 

cooperative development, and energyefficiency improvements.

Value-Added Producer Grants Bolster 

Local Foods Projects

RBS’s Value-Added Producer Grant 

Program helps agricultural producers 

increase their on-farm income by adding 

value to their products. For example, 

producers can use USDA Value-Added 

Producer Grants to create or study the 

feasibility of new product lines. They also 

may use the funds to find new markets 

for their value-added commodities.

RBS helped 84 agricultural producers 

carry out local foods projects in 

Fiscal Year 2014 through almost $8.9 

million in Value-Added Producer 

Grant awards. For instance, in Arizona, 

North Leupp Family Farms received 

$26,270 to determine the feasibility of 

producing blue cornmeal from Navajo 

corn and starting a mobile market to 

sell products on the Navajo Nation. 

In Georgia, the owners of B.J. Reese 

Orchards, LLC are using a $200,000 

grant to process their apples into 

home-made apple pies and other 

value-added apple products. The 

Jason Wiebe Dairy Farm in Durham, 

KS, is using a $120,000 Value-Added 

Producer Grant to make farmstead 

cheeses from cows’ milk and expand 

sales into new area markets.

The Cellars at Jasper Hill, a cheese-maker in rural 

Greensboro, VT, expanded its facility, grew its 

business, and reached new markets thanks to a 

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 17 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Loan and Grant Assistance for Local and Regional Food Systems

Fiscal Year 2014

Businesses or Producers Assisted Amount Awarded

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans 23 $59,765,927

Value-Added Producer Grants 84 $8,896,939

Renewable Energy for America Program Grants 24 $486,081

Rural Business Enterprise Grants 89 $6,067,167

Rural Cooperative Development Grants 4 $799,995

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants 3 $498,427

Rural Business Opportunity Grants 2 $121,921

Rural Economic Development Loans 2 $850,000

Total 231 $77,486,457

Business Assistance:

Over 5,600 rural businesses assisted

$1.2 billion for business start-up, expansion

Energy Assistance:

Over 760 energy projects supported

$278.1 million for renewable energy 

& energy efficiency

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

Local Foods Assistance:

Over 230 producers, others assisted

$77.4 million for local and regional food systems

Co-op Assistance:

Over 200 co-op, ag projects supported

$30.3 million to grow co-ops, value-added products

USDA Helps Small, Socially Disadvantaged 

and Minority Producers

RBS awarded 17 grants in 12 States during Fiscal Year 2014 

to help small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers 

expand their operations and create jobs. 

The Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program 

helps small producers and other business owners who often 

lack access to the capital and technical assistance they need 

to grow and prosper. The program funds technical assistance 

and other services to help producers develop new markets 

and business opportunities. By supporting small and diverse 

producers, USDA is expanding healthy food options in 

the markets these producers serve. Additionally, many of 

these grants will allow even the smallest producers to take 

advantage of the latest innovations in agricultural production.

USDA provided $3 million in grants during FY 2014. For 

example, the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives 

received $200,000 to train co-op members on recordkeeping, 

business planning, and marketing. The University of TexasPan American was selected for a $197,300 grant to help 

small-scale Hispanic producers market their food to local 

businesses and consumers.
18 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development’s Rural 

Utilities Service (RUS) administers 

infrastructure programs that fund 

electric, telephone, broadband, and 

water and waste disposal systems 

for rural communities. RUS helps 

rural utilities expand and keep their 

technology up to date and helps 

establish new and vital services such as 

distance learning and telemedicine and 

high-speed Internet connectivity. 

Investments in 

Rural Electric Utilities

RUS direct and guaranteed electric 

loans finance electric distribution, 

transmission, and generation facilities, 

including making system improvements 

for better energy efficiency or to 

enable the use of renewable energy 

sources. System improvements can also 

include implementation of smart-grid 

technologies to strengthen the electric 

grid. The program helps to provide 

reliable, cost-effective, and state-ofthe-art electric service to millions of 

electric utility customers in rural areas.

New Energy Efficiency Loans

In Fiscal Year 2014, RUS funded the first 

two loans under USDA’s new Energy 

Efficiency and Conservation Loan 

Program (EECLP). In partnership with 

traditional USDA RUS borrowers, EECLP 

is designed to help consumers reduce 

energy bills through energy efficiency 

improvements and renewable energy 

systems. It promotes rural economic 

growth while reducing greenhouse 

gases. It also supports President 

Obama’s Climate Action Plan and 

reduces barriers to investment in 

energy efficiency, cutting business and 

residential energy use.

The new program enables RUS 

borrowers — typically utility providers 

— to loan money to their customers 

for energy audits and energy efficiency 

upgrades including weatherization, 

HVAC improvements, high-efficiency 

lighting, and conversions to more 

efficient or renewable energy sources, 

such as consumer-scale solar power 

and ground-source heat pumps. 

North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric 

Membership Corporation is using a $6 

million loan for improvements to HVAC 

systems, appliance replacements, and 

improvements that will help about 800 

of its residential customers during the 

next 4 years. The loan will help reduce 

energy costs and improve the services 

within Roanoke’s service territory, 

which includes poverty and outmigration counties. 

The North Arkansas Electric 

Cooperative, Inc. will use a $4.6 million 

loan to fund geothermal and air source 

installations, energy-efficient lightning, 

and weatherization measures including 

Energy Star®

 windows and doors, 

insulation, efficient water heaters 

and roofing. The financing will reduce 

energy costs for the electric co-op’s 

customers and improve services within 

its service area.

USDA Funds Electric Utility 

Renewable Energy Ventures

RUS provided more than $6.6 million 

in electric loans to help three rural 

electric power providers — Rockwell 

Solar, LLC, a 4.25 MW solar farm in 

Rockwell, NC, Western Iowa Power 

Co-op in Denison, IA, and Springer 

Electric Co-op, in Springer, NM — install 

solar photovoltaic renewable energy 

systems. Overall, the agency awarded 

$2.24 billion in electric loans in 2014 

to provide 4.6 million rural consumers 

with improved electric service.

Funding for Rural Water 

Systems and Rural 

Alaska Native Villages

In FY 2014, RUS invested more 

than $1.5 billion in rural water and 

wastewater projects. Thanks to 

the 2014 Farm Bill, USDA received 

an additional $150 million in grant 

dollars and moved quickly to combine 

this support with regular water and 

wastewater funding. As a result, for 

Earth Day 2014, USDA water and waste 

loans and grants funded 116 projects in 

40 States and Puerto Rico. The nearly 

$387 million in funds was USDA’s 

largest Earth Day investment in rural 

water and wastewater systems and was 

completed 72 days from enactment 

of the Farm Bill. Of the 116 Earth Day 

projects announced in April 2014, 16 

were in persistent-poverty areas and 29 

were in StrikeForce communities.

Rural Utilities Service: Investing in the 

Foundation and Future of Rural Communities
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 19 

The agency continues to focus its efforts on areas of high 

poverty where higher levels of grant funds are required, in 

addition to increased outreach and technical assistance.

For example, after the Earth Day 2014 round of investments, 

later in the fiscal year, USDA awarded more than $352 million 

in loans and grants to upgrade rural water and wastewater 

systems nationwide and make infrastructure improvements 

in rural Alaska villages. The projects will not only help ensure 

that rural places have access to clean water, but will also 

create jobs and help communities retain and attract new 

businesses and families.

The investments protect rural residents’ health and 

safety and help ensure long-term sustainable economic 

development in the communities in which they are located. 

Water infrastructure investments also address the impact of 

climate change on U.S. water supplies by ensuring that rural 

families have access to clean water. Climate change is putting 

more stress on municipal water systems. Many areas around 

the country have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more 

floods and droughts, declines in snowpack, and intense rain, 

as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. All of these 

are placing fiscal strains on communities and causing more 

frequent and often costly repairs and upgrades.

Additionally, USDA provided assistance to ease drought 

conditions in California and elsewhere through Emergency 

Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) funding. 

Nationwide, a total of $14.7 million in ECWAG grants were 

awarded to assist rural communities without sufficient 

quantities of water.

Rural California communities received 25 grants to help 

74,000 residents in the drought-affected areas of rural 

California. Many of these communities are also agricultural 

communities with significant farm worker populations and 

high poverty rates.

For instance, the California community of Cameron Creek 

Colony was among those struggling due to severe drought. 

About 10 percent of residents had no access to water 

because their wells had run dry. Others had only intermittent 

access. A $500,000 grant to construct pipelines to Cameron 

Creek Colony linked residents to a nearby Farmersville 

system. The completed project provides much-needed relief 

throughout the community.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, Rural 

Development has helped more than 410,000 Californians 

receive improved water or wastewater services.

Water quality is an issue in many rural communities. In 

Alaska, the city of Buckland received a $45,000 grant to 

conduct a cost analysis for preliminary engineering and 

environmental reports for a proposed solid waste site. 

Edgerton, WI, received a $7.8 million loan and $2.5 million 

grant to upgrade its 31-year-old water treatment facility. The 

city is under a schedule of compliance with the Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources. The new facility will allow 

the city to meet newly imposed discharge limits.

In FY 2014, RUS provided 8 grants totaling $21 million to help 

rural Alaskan villages make infrastructure improvements. 

RUS provided the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 

with a $5 million grant to improve sanitation conditions 

in the community of Akiachak. Many residents there lack 

indoor plumbing and must haul water and use “honey 

buckets” to dispose waste. The consortium will use the grant 

to construct sewer mains, build a lift station, and bury water 

mains. Akiachak is targeted for special assistance through the 

USDA StrikeForce Initiative. 

Since 2009, RUS has invested nearly $11 billion in new and 

improved water and wastewater infrastructure that has 

benefited nearly 15 million rural residents and almost 6 

million households and businesses.
20 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Broadband Grants Help Communities 

With the Greatest Need

RUS provides Community Connect grants to establish 

broadband service in under-served rural areas to boost 

economic growth and offer educational, health care, social, 

and public safety benefits. 

For example, in 2014, the agency provided the North Central 

Telephone Cooperative (NCTC) in Lafayette, TN, with a 

$1.7 million Community Connect broadband grant.

This rural town on the Tennessee/Kentucky border has seen 

its share of businesses closing and families moving away. 

Many long-time residents understand why their children 

and grandchildren felt isolated and decided to move. But 

they, along with community and business leaders, hope 

the improvements that NCTC is making with USDA Rural 

Development funding will draw businesses and people back 

to the area.

When the project is completed, NCTC’s customers will have 

access to Internet speeds up to a Gigabit per second (Gbps). 

Local businesses will be able to capitalize off of e-commerce 

business strategies and offer telework to employees. 

Additionally, Lafayette residents will have more efficient and 

reliable access to commercial and emergency services.

RUS provided a total of $13.6 million in Community Connect 

broadband grants in 2014.

In Alaska, the Matanuska Telephone Association (MTA), a 

telephone cooperative, is using a Community Connect grant to 

add Glacier View, Chickaloon, and other towns to its growing 

list of communities with access to high-speed broadband.

MTA’s service area covers more than 10,000 square miles 

— an area larger than the State of Vermont. With the USDA 

grant and local investment from MTA, residents, businesses, 

and Alaska Native communities throughout this vast region 

will have access to upload and download speeds greater than 

10 Megabits per second (Mbps) that will allow everyone to 

connect globally.

Additionally, thanks to the USDA grant, people who live along 

the Glenn Highway between Chickaloon and Glacier View will 

have access to a new Community Connect Center providing 

free broadband access for the next 2 years.

A Matanuska Telephone Association lineman is at work bringing high-speed 

broadband to Chickaloon and Glacier View. Photo courtesy MTA.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 21 

USDA Helps New York Migrant 

Farmworkers Get Quality Health Care

Thirteen rural health care clinics in 10 of the most medically 

under-served counties in New York’s Finger Lakes Region 

needed help expanding health care coverage to migrant 

workers. They also needed help providing a telehealth 

network for the region so medical providers in remote facilities 

could communicate with one another to treat patients.

USDA Rural Development in New York helped launch a 

health project for migrant farmworkers and their families 

several years ago through several Distance Learning and 

Telemedicine (DLT) grants. This RUS program helps rural 

communities acquire distance learning and telemedicine 

technologies so local teachers and medical service providers 

serving rural residents can establish interactive video 

conferencing links to teachers, medical professionals, and 

other needed expertise that is inaccessible otherwise. USDA 

grants were used to build and equip the telehealth network, 

including building links to medical professionals at Cornell 

University for consultations.

In 2014, the Finger Lakes Migrant Health Care Project 

received a fourth USDA DLT grant for $178,500 to expand 

dental and wellness screenings for migrant children and 

improve educational opportunities for K-12 students and 

young adults within the migrant community.

Electric Utilities:

Over 4.6 million rural customers served

$2.24 billion for utility system 

upgrades, improvements

Telecom Systems:

Over 83,000 rural subscribers served

$228 million for telecom & broadband service

Rural Utilities Service

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

Water and Waste Disposal Systems:

Over 1.9 million rural residents served

$1.5 billion for safe water and sanitary 

waste systems
22 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Alabama Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

ALABAMA

Community Economic Development

Water Treatment Plant Provides Ample 

Water and Sparks Community Development

City of Thomasville leaders were buying water from a nearby 

town because of problems with their local drinking water 

source. Further, limited water supplies meant that water usage 

restrictions were often imposed on residents, even during the 

winter. Residents twice endured week-long water outages. The 

lack of a local water source also made it very difficult for the city 

to grow its economy and retain jobs.

USDA provided the city with $14.6 million in loans and grants in 

2009 to build a water treatment plant, and $5 million in 2014 to 

complete the system.

Today, Thomasville, AL, has a state-of-the-art water treatment 

plant that provides customers with reliable, abundant water. The 

system is also helping the city boost economic development. In 

Components of the Thomasville, AL, water treatment system.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $130,440,284 36 $24,062,000 11 $16,685,350 6 $171,187,634 53

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

Renewable Energy $3,048,572 49 $150,061 8 $221,493 15 $3,420,126 72

Business Grants $3,844,371 42 $522,000 6 $691,052 9 $5,057,423 57

REDLG $2,740,000 7 $0 0 $1,900,000 4 $4,640,000 11

VAPG $259,773 5 $0 0 $300,000 1 $559,773 6

SFH Direct $93,060,893 864 $17,216,449 160 $13,559,151 130 $123,836,493 1,154

SFH Guaranteed $1,702,730,150 14,126 $528,188,765 4,222 $432,632,326 3,551 $2,663,551,241 21,899

SFH Repairs $6,933,770 1,156 $1,335,497 218 $1,604,568 255 $9,873,835 1,629

SFH Self-Help Grants $333,916 1 $0 0 $0 0 $333,916 1

MFH Direct $287,932 2 $0 0 $8,598,000 8 $8,885,932 10

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $2,493,000 4 $2,493,000 4

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

Rental Assistance $106,529,832 1,149 $22,175,800 248 $29,500,800 323 $158,206,432 1,720

CF Direct $17,976,032 42 $8,431,100 11 $1,131,300 7 $27,538,432 60

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

CF Grants $3,905,663 60 $281,550 8 $335,400 8 $4,522,613 76

WWD Direct $85,097,187 61 $10,658,900 14 $20,834,000 12 $116,590,087 87

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

WWD Grants $43,237,623 41 $10,183,000 11 $12,240,000 9 $65,660,623 61

Telecom $58,629,157 15 $900,000 1 $854,098 3 $60,383,255 19

Electric $274,059,000 8 $77,900,000 3 $0 0 $351,959,000 11

Other Programs $90,657,221 22 $355,450 4 $687,061 6 $91,699,731 32

ALABAMA TOTAL $2,626,203,006 17,691 $711,720,572 4,926 $544,267,599 4,351 $3,882,191,176 26,968

the last 5 years, city leaders have brought new industries 

to the area. More than $700 million has been invested in 

projects that have created 1,500 jobs within a 5-mile radius 

of Thomasville.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 23

ALASKA

Community Economic Development

Water Treatment Plant and Washeteria for Old Kasigluk 

Many Alaskan villages turn to USDA Rural Development’s Rural 

Alaska Village Grants (RAVG) program when they need help 

upgrading their water and waste disposal systems.

That is exactly what the small community of Old Kasigluk did. It 

used a $4 million RAVG grant to build a water treatment plant, 

and a “washeteria,” a laundry/shower facility for residents. The 

new water plant was complete in 2014 and replaced a system 

that was so dilapidated it could no longer be used.

Before the upgrades, village residents had been hauling water 

from a well, and were using “honey buckets” to dispose of 

waste, carrying them from home to a common collection site. 

These RAVG grants are crucial to help alleviate the dire sanitation 

conditions that exist in these extremely remote, rural villages.

The Kasigluk waste treatment plant’s local work crew is with USDA officials.

The drinking water and waste disposal upgrades will improve the 

health of children and families in Old Kasigluk and alleviate the 

severe sanitation conditions that existed in the community for 

many years.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $67,693,916 44 $11,893,750 9 $3,727,500 3 $83,315,166 56

IRP $350,000 2 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $1,350,000 3

Renewable Energy $1,335,353 61 $199,649 11 $143,504 10 $1,678,506 82

Business Grants $2,766,058 27 $617,800 4 $456,449 6 $3,840,307 37

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

VAPG $131,749 1 $49,689 1 $91,100 1 $272,538 3

SFH Direct $54,082,069 314 $8,947,089 52 $10,848,503 56 $73,877,661 422

SFH Guaranteed $244,385,711 1,270 $81,489,975 410 $67,730,368 346 $393,606,054 2,026

SFH Repairs $639,436 80 $82,646 13 $167,790 20 $889,872 113

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,585,808 3 $0 0 $944,014 2 $2,529,822 5

MFH Direct $2,950,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $2,950,000 1

MFH Guaranteed $10,450,000 7 $0 0 $0 0 $10,450,000 7

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

Rental Assistance $19,811,520 94 $3,953,664 21 $6,966,432 31 $30,731,616 146

CF Direct $86,611,200 20 $0 0 $0 0 $86,611,200 20

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

CF Grants $5,222,149 50 $259,519 5 $344,802 7 $5,826,470 62

WWD Direct $1,716,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,716,000 2

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

WWD Grants $172,234,517 146 $31,048,186 31 $24,481,932 23 $227,764,635 200

Telecom $143,218,388 30 $2,941,246 1 $3,248,905 9 $149,408,539 40

Electric $225,928,000 3 $206,423,000 4 $0 0 $432,351,000 7

Other Programs $35,449,442 22 $6,425,000 5 $5,239,486 4 $47,113,928 31

ALASKA TOTAL $1,087,154,918 2,182 $354,331,213 567 $125,390,785 519 $1,566,876,916 3,268

Alaska Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
24 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

ARIZONA

Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Grant Helps Community Garden Grow

The Graham County Interfaith Care Alliance, in Safford, AZ, 

helps feed its neighbors living in this small southeast Arizona 

rural community. With just two employees, the Alliance serves 

as a food bank and operates a community farm and garden to 

provide fresh produce, nutrition education, and education on 

sustainable gardening methods.

USDA Rural Development gave the Alliance a $12,110 

Community Facilities grant to help install a greenhouse and 

upgrade the irrigation system at the community garden. Alliance 

raised additional funds for the project through donations and 

in-kind contributions.

The improvements helped the Alliance increase activity at 

the community garden. By February 2014, third graders were 

clearing dried plants from the last growing season and planting 

new trays of seedlings for spring.

The Alliance food bank program distributes food to nearly 2,000 

customers and delivers vegetables grown on its farm to local 

New under-bench hot water heating for the greenhouse was funded by a 

grant from USDA Rural Development.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $81,409,818 33 $21,570,880 8 $25,158,000 8 $128,138,698 49

IRP $488,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $488,000 2

Renewable Energy $6,250,946 54 $274,512 13 $195,930 11 $6,721,388 78

Business Grants $2,649,515 29 $535,987 7 $421,000 6 $3,606,502 42

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

VAPG $39,500 1 $0 0 $209,206 2 $248,706 3

SFH Direct $86,673,875 817 $8,160,876 78 $10,457,188 95 $105,291,939 990

SFH Guaranteed $1,451,998,881 11,588 $451,571,475 3,205 $382,668,867 2,589 $2,286,239,223 17,382

SFH Repairs $3,641,462 537 $444,549 64 $567,908 80 $4,653,919 681

SFH Self-Help Grants $6,929,093 10 $3,154,720 6 $297,000 1 $10,380,813 17

MFH Direct $2,936,922 6 $25,000 1 $0 0 $2,961,922 7

MFH Guaranteed $5,647,071 6 $0 0 $968,300 2 $6,615,371 8

Farm Labor Housing $599,001 2 $127,910 1 $0 0 $726,911 3

Rental Assistance $52,564,116 357 $11,002,320 80 $16,803,360 108 $80,369,796 545

CF Direct $62,681,834 25 $7,754,073 1 $0 0 $70,435,907 26

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

CF Grants $2,229,573 32 $373,965 8 $290,604 2 $2,894,142 42

WWD Direct $22,026,436 13 $4,812,000 2 $9,700,000 2 $36,538,436 17

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

WWD Grants $70,876,310 248 $17,792,268 22 $6,184,329 7 $94,852,907 277

Telecom $45,784,674 22 $0 0 $637,493 3 $46,422,167 25

Electric $320,425,742 8 $167,779,000 1 $0 0 $488,204,742 9

Other Programs $3,257,385 16 $50,250 2 $293,575 3 $3,601,210 21

ARIZONA TOTAL $2,255,950,450 13,815 $695,429,785 3,499 $454,852,760 2,919 $3,406,232,995 20,233

Arizona Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

non-profits who serve the elderly and at-risk populations and to 

other food banks.

Though small, the USDA grant — coupled with local community 

funding for the rest of the $85,000 total project cost — was the 

impetus needed to launch this worthwhile project. USDA Rural 

Development programs help communities help themselves.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 25

ARKANSAS

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Formerly Homeless Woman Become a Homeowner

For the past 2 years, Brenda Gray, a resident of Greenwood, AR, was a renter. Before 

that, she was homeless. Her living situation changed after her friends, John and Kim 

Wentz, suggested she contact Clements Homes to find out if she would be qualified for 

a USDA Rural Development Single-Family Housing Direct Loan.

Gray subsequently qualified for and received a loan to buy her own home. USDA’s SingleFamily Housing Direct Loan program offers affordable home mortgages at reasonable 

rates and terms for very low- and low-income individuals and families in rural areas. 

These USDA-financed homes also strengthen rural economies by providing a tax base to 

fund local schools and other infrastructure — projects that help create jobs.

Clements Homes, Inc. of Greenwood, a construction firm that builds USDA-financed 

homes in the Fort Smith area, built Gray’s energy-efficient home. It has Energy Star®

water-efficient appliances and energy-efficient materials that are helping her save 

money on utility costs.

Gray told USDA she is excited about being a homeowner. She is looking forward to 

planting blueberry bushes and working in her own yard.

Brenda Gray cuts the ribbon to her new home 

surrounded by the USDA staff, realtors and 

contractors who helped her dream come true.

Arkansas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $84,507,000 27 $6,413,550 3 $33,531,357 6 $124,451,907 36

IRP $1,344,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $1,344,000 4

Renewable Energy $6,202,273 138 $1,532,530 34 $596,077 14 $8,330,880 186

Business Grants $3,335,703 28 $463,000 5 $509,000 6 $4,307,703 39

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

VAPG $233,000 3 $50,000 1 $30,000 1 $313,000 5

SFH Direct $119,768,871 1,289 $18,038,624 177 $11,447,486 113 $149,254,981 1,579

SFH Guaranteed $1,765,698,203 16,575 $464,511,940 4,126 $392,006,726 3,538 $2,622,216,869 24,239

SFH Repairs $6,042,888 1,061 $762,482 129 $517,652 89 $7,323,022 1,279

SFH Self-Help Grants $6,042,469 20 $1,630,229 4 $486,984 2 $8,159,682 26

MFH Direct $3,043,805 3 $0 0 $0 0 $3,043,805 3

MFH Guaranteed $3,845,391 3 $0 0 $0 0 $3,845,391 3

Farm Labor Housing $3,069,900 36 $533,300 4 $281,800 3 $3,885,000 43

Rental Assistance $78,606,304 916 $16,721,460 198 $22,269,060 264 $117,596,824 1,378

CF Direct $62,001,000 32 $20,560,000 6 $92,000 1 $82,653,000 39

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

CF Grants $12,321,505 281 $942,450 38 $1,732,784 53 $14,996,739 372

WWD Direct $122,049,500 114 $15,953,700 21 $16,538,900 19 $154,542,100 154

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

WWD Grants $89,193,742 96 $6,513,737 12 $11,415,698 20 $107,123,177 128

Telecom $242,990,846 41 $11,631,000 1 $25,150,709 3 $279,772,555 45

Electric $1,552,353,000 23 $32,437,000 3 $72,270,000 3 $1,657,060,000 29

Other Programs $1,505,008 19 $65,214 3 $241,022 4 $1,811,245 26

ARKANSAS TOTAL $4,168,654,408 20,713 $598,760,216 4,765 $589,117,255 4,139 $5,356,531,880 29,617
26 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

CALIFORNIA

Community Economic Development

Homeowners Struggle in Midst of California Drought

Carlen Overby’s days were filled with worry because her well 

went dry and later collapsed. She and her husband hauled 

5-gallon jugs of water to flush toilets or wash dishes. They 

connected their water tank to a neighbor’s outdoor hose so they 

could take showers. When they started having trouble with their 

well, her husband got a second job so they could save enough 

money to drill a new one. Wells cost around $20,000 but, even 

then, in California, there’s a waiting list almost a year long.

“You wake up and you just expect that there will be water when 

you turn on the faucet,” she said. “Who knows how long it will be 

until our neighbor runs out of water, and then what will we do?”

Overby’s not alone either: in Cameron Creek Colony, the small 

Tulare County community where she lives, about 10 percent of 

the homeowners have wells that have gone dry. Others, like her 

neighbor, have just a few feet of well water left.

But there was light at the end of the tunnel for Overby and 

73,000 other Californians struggling with water issues. USDA 

Rural Development provided $9.7 million in emergency water 

assistance to 25 communities across California whose water 

systems have been impacted by the State’s devastating drought. 

The USDA assistance gave Overby and her neighbors in Cameron 

Creek Colony the option to connect to the working water system 

at nearby Farmersville.

Overby connects a hose from her neighbor’s house so she and her husband will 

have water for showers.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $414,707,072 185 $47,244,548 25 $57,007,695 22 $518,959,315 232

IRP $7,660,000 16 $1,200,000 3 $1,000,000 1 $9,860,000 20

Renewable Energy $8,882,875 176 $2,176,712 81 $5,280,143 73 $16,339,730 330

Business Grants $7,803,711 86 $645,920 13 $914,816 11 $9,364,447 110

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

VAPG $4,533,281 30 $1,500,000 8 $200,000 1 $6,233,281 39

SFH Direct $326,806,291 2,127 $70,279,051 471 $65,241,381 396 $462,326,723 2,994

SFH Guaranteed $2,677,152,169 16,188 $892,191,008 4,879 $658,140,936 3,485 $4,227,484,113 24,552

SFH Repairs $1,594,113 232 $457,165 59 $482,009 72 $2,533,287 363

SFH Self-Help Grants $27,872,583 22 $8,236,000 5 $737,804 1 $36,846,387 28

MFH Direct $15,836,439 19 $0 0 $0 0 $15,836,439 19

MFH Guaranteed $164,976,903 98 $21,239,745 17 $18,833,471 15 $205,050,119 130

Farm Labor Housing $57,432,081 29 $10,846,425 4 $20,994,943 10 $89,273,448 43

Rental Assistance $259,913,197 1,333 $64,977,424 305 $85,547,808 386 $410,438,429 2,024

CF Direct $102,183,890 47 $33,675,721 16 $10,902,542 5 $146,762,153 68

CF Guaranteed $9,036,600 10 $854,655 2 $0 0 $9,891,255 12

CF Grants $12,995,837 232 $509,815 20 $1,492,302 31 $14,997,954 283

WWD Direct $257,037,400 74 $29,298,728 14 $10,627,844 8 $296,963,972 96

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

WWD Grants $78,829,533 95 $9,218,346 17 $22,279,745 44 $110,327,624 156

Telecom $44,663,899 22 $0 0 $1,501,905 5 $46,165,804 27

Electric $78,960,000 3 $0 0 $8,000,000 1 $86,960,000 4

Other Programs $17,804,740 71 $8,306,099 14 $9,003,759 32 $35,114,598 117

CALIFORNIA TOTAL $4,577,028,714 21,096 $1,202,857,362 5,953 $978,189,103 4,599 $6,758,075,178 31,648

California Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 27

COLORADO

Local and Regional Food Systems • StrikeForce Initiative

San Luis Valley Potato Packaging Business Expands

Colorado’s San Luis Valley has plenty of potato growers, but, in 

recent years, has lacked potato processors. White Rock Specialties, 

LLC wanted to start an organic specialty potato processing and 

packaging facility in Mosca, CO, to help meet this need.

USDA Rural Development partnered with the First Southwest 

Bank of Colorado to provide White Rock with a Business and 

Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan in 2013. The company used the 

loan to purchase an old school building in Mosca, retrofit it, and 

buy equipment.

Mosca is in Alamosa County — an economically challenged, 

persistent poverty county. USDA is targeting assistance to the 

area through its StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity

Initiative to combat rural poverty.

The Mosca community welcomed White Rock with open arms. 

During the first year of operations, the facility was so busy 

managers had to turn down contracts because the plant was 

already at capacity. The company hired 15 workers to increase 

production. By 2014, though, in just a year, White Rock was 

ready to expand. Rural Development and First Southwest 

partnered again through another B&I loan guarantee to help the 

company buy additional equipment.

The expansion will allow White Rock to meet demand and 

process organic specialty potatoes more efficiently. In the future, 

in addition to packaging, company managers hope that the 

Mosca plant can become a food hub to distribute and process 

more locally grown San Luis Valley potatoes.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $69,192,138 24 $27,077,058 8 $16,354,108 8 $112,623,304 40

IRP $2,003,296 6 $795,000 1 $0 0 $2,798,296 7

Renewable Energy $3,103,812 67 $401,857 13 $257,036 16 $3,762,705 96

Business Grants $1,898,360 38 $230,000 6 $318,000 8 $2,446,360 52

REDLG $2,060,000 4 $0 0 $550,000 1 $2,610,000 5

VAPG $1,001,614 9 $517,300 3 $110,800 2 $1,629,714 14

SFH Direct $86,622,083 626 $12,287,433 90 $17,944,440 117 $116,853,956 833

SFH Guaranteed $921,997,094 5,439 $318,659,681 1,741 $313,382,316 1,704 $1,554,039,091 8,884

SFH Repairs $1,377,389 200 $143,000 20 $304,830 50 $1,825,219 270

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,631,760 7 $0 0 $539,990 1 $4,171,750 8

MFH Direct $3,163,799 5 $0 0 $0 0 $3,163,799 5

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

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $3,000,000 2 $5,424,076 4 $8,424,076 6

Rental Assistance $41,084,032 384 $10,742,000 93 $13,334,400 115 $65,160,432 592

CF Direct $13,386,810 25 $20,432,000 7 $10,158,923 3 $43,977,733 35

CF Guaranteed $2,674,837 3 $0 0 $0 0 $2,674,837 3

CF Grants $3,898,510 104 $178,200 13 $362,977 16 $4,439,687 133

WWD Direct $46,067,300 29 $7,507,000 5 $1,253,000 4 $54,827,300 38

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

WWD Grants $18,834,633 31 $2,167,603 8 $1,541,400 9 $22,543,636 48

Telecom $84,806,955 26 $0 0 $965,450 3 $85,772,405 29

Electric $960,857,000 22 $542,238,000 8 $260,346,000 2 $1,763,441,000 32

Other Programs $2,388,101 24 $200,000 1 $580,000 5 $3,168,101 30

COLORADO TOTAL $2,272,054,397 7,075 $946,576,132 2,019 $643,727,746 2,068 $3,862,358,275 11,162

Colorado Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Organic potatoes being processed by White Rock Specialties, LLC in Mosca, CO.
28 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

CONNECTICUT

Community Economic Development

Safe, Affordable Rental Housing for Rural Connecticut Families

Sharon, CT, a small but growing town of just over 3,000 people, needed more housing 

for low- and moderate-income families. USDA Rural Development partnered with two 

State agencies, the Connecticut Department of Housing and the Small Town Assistance 

Program, to finance an expansion of Sharon Ridge, a local multi-family housing 

complex. Prior to the expansion, Sharon Ridge had just 20 apartments.

USDA Rural Development provided a $1 million low-interest multi-family housing 

direct loan to help finance construction of 12 apartments at Sharon Ridge. State grants 

supported the bulk of the project. The new apartments were ready for occupancy in 

June 2014.

In addition to loan financing for construction, USDA is also providing ongoing rental 

assistance to ensure the low-income families living in the complex are able to afford 

their monthly rent.

Twelve new apartments at Sharon Ridge 

Apartments were built through a financing 

partnership between USDA and the State of 

Connecticut.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $27,830,000 10 $9,396,500 4 $0 0 $37,226,500 14

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

Renewable Energy $1,559,046 38 $226,319 12 $182,202 17 $1,967,567 67

Business Grants $1,051,329 18 $142,000 2 $257,609 5 $1,450,938 25

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

VAPG $334,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $334,000 2

SFH Direct $22,262,356 115 $4,178,728 26 $3,199,824 19 $29,640,908 160

SFH Guaranteed $370,562,477 2,019 $168,069,242 920 $139,033,797 762 $677,665,516 3,701

SFH Repairs $444,720 79 $188,743 33 $130,004 23 $763,467 135

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

MFH Direct $5,988,754 11 $2,662,054 3 $673,044 2 $9,323,852 16

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 $27,198,096 233 $5,311,488 42 $7,381,920 57 $39,891,504 332

CF Direct $84,333,420 26 $13,460,000 12 $21,386,000 5 $119,179,420 43

CF Guaranteed $27,027,600 5 $0 0 $0 0 $27,027,600 5

CF Grants $1,400,905 32 $154,110 6 $309,692 7 $1,864,707 45

WWD Direct $49,377,000 17 $8,719,000 5 $11,915,000 4 $70,011,000 26

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

WWD Grants $30,633,405 23 $3,182,200 6 $7,951,300 8 $41,766,905 37

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

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

Other Programs $199,890 6 $50,000 1 $50,000 1 $299,890 8

CONNECTICUT TOTAL $655,132,248 2,638 $216,740,384 1,073 $192,470,392 910 $1,064,343,024 4,621

Connecticut Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Today, 12 families live in the new 

apartments. Eight of the new units 

are one-bedrooms and four are twobedroom apartments. Two of the new 

units are accessible for use by people with 

disabilities; five more can be adapted with 

accessibility modifications if needed.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 29

DELAWARE

Community Economic Development

Self-Help Housing Program Makes Homeownership 

a Reality for Delaware Family

A stormy sky didn’t dampen the mood as Michelle Mosely 

and others gathered together this past June to celebrate 

National Homeownership Month 2014 at a self-help housing 

site in Lincoln, DE, managed by Milford Housing Development 

Corporation (MHDC). MHDC, Delaware’s first and only self-help 

grantee, is now in its 18th year of operating USDA self-help 

housing programs.

Through self-help technical assistance grants, MHDC helps 

applicants apply for USDA loans, supervises construction, 

counsels participants, and manages housing projects like the one 

underway in Lincoln.

Mosely and the other families in her group worked side by side 

to construct their homes through the self-help housing program, 

which offers families with modest means a hands-on approach 

to achieve homeownership.

Mosely, a youth rehabilitation counselor, described the program 

as hard work, but fun. She says showing her children that 

dedication, determination and hard work pay-off gives her 

satisfaction and pride.

She is one of 164 families in Kent and Sussex counties who have 

built their homes through self-help. Each Delaware participant’s 

“sweat equity” is equivalent to about $35,000 in savings on 

their mortgages.

Mosely (center) is with Rural Housing Service Chief of Staff David Lipsetz and 

USDA Rural Development Office of the Under Secretary Chief of Staff Katharine 

Ferguson. USDA officials visited the Lincoln, DE, construction site to help the 

self-help participants build their homes.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $7,493,627 7 $0 0 $0 0 $7,493,627 7

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

Renewable Energy $358,695 16 $0 0 $142,000 4 $500,695 20

Business Grants $637,790 17 $96,000 3 $141,800 4 $875,590 24

REDLG $0 0 $0 0 $593,120 1 $593,120 1

VAPG $0 0 $41,000 1 $0 0 $41,000 1

SFH Direct $50,933,339 284 $5,967,934 37 $6,288,961 37 $63,190,234 358

SFH Guaranteed $344,352,119 1,874 $158,840,964 828 $124,315,662 661 $627,508,745 3,363

SFH Repairs $340,868 50 $53,600 9 $36,000 6 $430,468 65

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,516,000 3 $1,580,000 2 $0 0 $3,096,000 5

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 $25,416,377 138 $4,971,408 27 $8,265,120 42 $38,652,905 207

CF Direct $14,671,000 10 $16,550,000 5 $18,100,000 4 $49,321,000 19

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

CF Grants $2,082,692 36 $378,940 9 $277,292 6 $2,738,924 51

WWD Direct $85,345,065 27 $4,897,000 4 $7,481,000 5 $97,723,065 36

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

WWD Grants $20,109,791 18 $2,248,700 4 $3,977,000 6 $26,335,491 28

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

Electric $49,300,000 2 $0 0 $36,000,000 1 $85,300,000 3

Other Programs $3,227,000 9 $877,500 2 $1,507,300 4 $5,611,800 15

DELAWARE TOTAL $609,577,886 2,498 $196,503,046 931 $207,125,255 781 $1,013,206,187 4,210

Delaware Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
30 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

FLORIDA

Community Economic Development

USDA Rural Development Helps Expand Educational 

Opportunities in Rural Florida Communities

Berkley Accelerated Middle School is a non-profit K-8 charter school that started in 

2004 and is funded through the Polk County school district. It serves students primarily 

from the unincorporated parts of Auburndale, Polk City and Lake Alfred, FL.

The school became so successful that school officials eventually had a waiting list of 

about 250 students they couldn’t accommodate due to limited space on campus. 

School leaders realized that without adequate classroom and operating space, Berkley 

Accelerated wouldn’t be able to meet existing and future educational needs of the 

children in the school district.

USDA Rural Development partnered with the 1st Manatee Bank in Bradenton, FL, to 

provide a $3 million Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan to fund an expansion of the 

school. Berkley Accelerated is using the loan to construct a two-story school building 

with nine classrooms, two computer labs, a science lab, restrooms, storage space, and 

a covered outdoor area for gatherings/events. The expanded facilities will allow the 

school to serve up to 600 students during the school year.

USDA helped finance construction of a new school 

building that will increase educational opportunities 

for rural Polk County, FL, middle-schoolers.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $188,639,809 51 $34,996,400 10 $56,280,788 11 $279,916,997 72

IRP $618,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $618,000 2

Renewable Energy $2,626,493 46 $1,366,055 23 $831,879 28 $4,824,427 97

Business Grants $3,450,239 22 $546,000 4 $811,000 5 $4,807,239 31

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

VAPG $1,033,560 6 $299,809 1 $0 0 $1,333,369 7

SFH Direct $170,401,983 1,518 $20,773,520 181 $24,767,174 223 $215,942,677 1,922

SFH Guaranteed $3,254,088,481 25,954 $817,891,214 5,890 $666,418,147 4,705 $4,738,397,842 36,549

SFH Repairs $6,234,831 1,147 $1,119,191 197 $796,205 153 $8,150,227 1,497

SFH Self-Help Grants $9,129,640 5 $2,045,070 1 $0 0 $11,174,710 6

MFH Direct $36,125,033 54 $3,306,937 5 $0 0 $39,431,970 59

MFH Guaranteed $8,348,000 7 $0 0 $0 0 $8,348,000 7

Farm Labor Housing $6,000,000 4 $0 0 $7,000,000 6 $13,000,000 10

Rental Assistance $185,816,500 1,303 $42,186,684 266 $54,871,741 343 $282,874,925 1,912

CF Direct $37,214,350 21 $20,265,200 6 $671,200 5 $58,150,750 32

CF Guaranteed $11,300,000 4 $3,000,000 1 $860,000 1 $15,160,000 6

CF Grants $3,059,000 29 $396,400 8 $544,400 8 $3,999,800 45

WWD Direct $112,367,800 40 $4,878,000 2 $9,784,100 5 $127,029,900 47

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

WWD Grants $55,156,140 43 $3,261,230 3 $6,318,670 12 $64,736,040 58

Telecom $49,414,932 6 $0 0 $0 0 $49,414,932 6

Electric $597,872,000 14 $164,484,000 4 $110,000,000 1 $872,356,000 19

Other Programs $80,904,745 21 $1,084,522 2 $1,135,655 2 $83,124,922 25

FLORIDA TOTAL $4,820,001,536 30,298 $1,121,900,232 6,604 $941,090,959 5,508 $6,882,992,728 42,410

Florida Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 31

GEORGIA

Local and Regional Food Systems • StrikeForce Initiative

Georgia’s Largest Food Bank Expands With USDA’s Help

Second Harvest of South Georgia, a non-profit based in Valdosta 

that feeds hungry people in 30 Georgia counties, is the State’s 

largest food bank outside the Metro Atlanta area. In May 2014, 

USDA representatives joined elected officials and supporters 

to celebrate the opening of Second Harvest’s regional food 

distribution facility in Thomasville.

USDA Rural Development provided Second Harvest with a $5.2 

million in Community Facilities loan to build the Thomasville 

facility. Its commercial kitchen can produce up to 10,000 meals a 

day. At capacity, the facility can store 5 million pounds of food for 

South Georgia residents in need.

This project will significantly help South Georgia communities 

that need food assistance. This facility is another example of how 

financing from Rural Development’s Community Facilities program 

helps provide rural residents with essential goods and services.

Second Harvest and its more than 400 partner agencies distribute 

about 18.5 million pounds of food annually to needy families, 

children, and seniors. Twenty-three of the counties in Second 

Harvest’s service area are low-income areas that USDA has targeted 

for help through the StrikeForce initiative to reduce rural poverty.

The food distribution facility under construction in Thomasville, GA. The 

65,000-square-foot building will include a dry warehouse, a cooler/freezer and 

cold dock space, a kids’ café and kitchen, administrative space, an indoor/outdoor 

marketplace, and a multi-purpose room for use by community organizations.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $337,721,649 92 $72,823,968 20 $9,096,100 4 $419,641,717 116

IRP $1,339,000 3 $0 0 $500,000 1 $1,839,000 4

Renewable Energy $13,731,069 305 $1,689,548 86 $503,864 37 $15,924,481 428

Business Grants $6,897,130 89 $779,000 9 $983,879 12 $8,660,009 110

REDLG $5,990,000 10 $1,000,000 1 $3,081,616 3 $10,071,616 14

VAPG $3,466,701 17 $1,200,000 4 $1,194,385 8 $5,861,086 29

SFH Direct $119,824,874 1,097 $11,456,247 120 $10,820,211 104 $142,101,332 1,321

SFH Guaranteed $1,906,727,856 16,535 $560,286,629 4,777 $525,813,246 4,351 $2,992,827,731 25,663

SFH Repairs $8,187,060 1,186 $1,456,502 210 $1,220,634 179 $10,864,196 1,575

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

MFH Direct $6,208,293 10 $0 0 $6,595,712 10 $12,804,005 20

MFH Guaranteed $6,843,982 5 $0 0 $15,824,700 19 $22,668,682 24

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

Rental Assistance $93,424,608 1,147 $20,596,452 246 $29,814,396 334 $143,835,456 1,727

CF Direct $48,694,753 114 $14,913,050 17 $82,931,515 29 $146,539,318 160

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $5,233,119 127 $610,300 15 $678,200 24 $6,521,619 166

WWD Direct $89,831,880 39 $5,854,000 5 $10,365,000 5 $106,050,880 49

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

WWD Grants $62,779,463 27 $5,800,150 6 $11,245,800 13 $79,825,413 46

Telecom $95,417,944 18 $0 0 $16,994,727 2 $112,412,671 20

Electric $2,460,531,000 37 $537,973,000 9 $434,752,000 11 $3,433,256,000 57

Other Programs $87,040,894 34 $1,009,000 7 $71,840,140 13 $159,890,034 54

GEORGIA TOTAL $5,359,891,275 20,892 $1,237,447,846 5,532 $1,234,256,125 5,159 $7,831,595,246 31,583

Georgia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
32 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

HAWAII

The Bioeconomy • Local and Regional Food Systems

Hawaii Organic Business Benefits From Renewable Energy Grant

Mari’s Gardens, LLC in Mililani, Oahu, is a Hawaii-certified organic business that 

supplies customers with fresh organic produce, nursery plants, garden accessories, and 

Chinese catfish and tilapia through its aquaponic operation. USDA Rural Development 

gave the company a $123,300 Rural Energy for America Program grant in 2014 to buy 

90 photovoltaic solar panels to reduce energy costs associated with the company’s 

growing use of aquaponic food production. Aquaponics combines conventional 

aquaculture — raising aquatic animals like shrimp or fish — with hydroponics, a method 

of growing plants in water.

When owner Fred Lau and his son started aquaponic production, it increased Mari’s 

Gardens’ energy use and costs. For example, in 2013, despite having two smaller solar 

panel systems to generate power, the company’s gas and electric costs were about 

$34,000, or nearly 35 percent of its overall annual expenses.

The expanded, 675 kW solar array includes battery storage and a propane-fueled 

backup generator.

With USDA’s help, Mari’s Gardens is meeting all of 

its power needs through renewable, solar energy.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $48,985,000 10 $5,000,000 1 $4,460,000 2 $58,445,000 13

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

Renewable Energy $1,545,372 40 $226,794 12 $159,938 6 $1,932,104 58

Business Grants $1,202,302 20 $99,000 2 $154,297 4 $1,455,599 26

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

VAPG $293,530 6 $207,044 1 $42,322 2 $542,896 9

SFH Direct $63,541,844 295 $12,020,046 55 $10,626,202 44 $86,188,092 394

SFH Guaranteed $791,442,516 2,515 $326,976,476 965 $223,246,628 692 $1,341,665,620 4,172

SFH Repairs $1,725,087 245 $386,765 58 $241,876 37 $2,353,728 340

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,552,788 6 $1,383,302 2 $0 0 $3,936,090 8

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

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $6,561,428 3 $0 0 $0 0 $6,561,428 3

Rental Assistance $23,676,612 83 $5,418,000 18 $7,056,000 24 $36,150,612 125

CF Direct $119,204,922 25 $20,696,568 5 $1,000,000 1 $140,901,490 31

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

CF Grants $1,831,707 28 $120,970 5 $275,092 4 $2,227,769 37

WWD Direct $10,533,100 9 $6,663,000 3 $1,037,000 1 $18,233,100 13

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

WWD Grants $4,736,074 8 $7,919,100 4 $864,880 1 $13,520,054 13

Telecom $559,634 2 $0 0 $1,165,831 3 $1,725,465 5

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

Other Programs $3,081,419 14 $401,913 3 $1,109,856 6 $4,593,188 23

HAWAII TOTAL $1,289,194,325 3,322 $387,518,978 1,134 $251,439,922 827 $1,928,153,225 5,283

Hawaii Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Today, thanks in part to the USDA grant, 

Mari’s Gardens’ pesticide- and fertilizerfree sustainable agriculture is completely 

self-sufficient and “off-the-grid.” All of its 

energy needs are met through the solar 

system. Lau plans to double his aquaponic 

production. Additionally, the clean, 

renewable solar energy is helping to 

protect the local environment in Mililani.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 33

IDAHO

Community Economic Development

Idaho Investments Help Rural Communities and 

Businesses Grow

USDA Rural Development partnered with Zions First National 

Bank to award a Business and Industry guaranteed loan to the 

High Country Fusion Company in Fairfield, ID. The company 

manufactures high-density polyethylene piping, custom fittings, 

and containers for industrial use. It used the funds to expand the 

business and begin international sales. The assistance from USDA 

is paying dividends: High Country Fusion received a Small Business 

Administration Top Exporter of the Year award in 2013 and honors 

at the Idaho Governor’s 2014 Trade and Business Conference.

In June 2014, new homeowners Alfred and Malina Jackson 

welcomed USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden to their home 

in Middleton, ID, to celebrate National Homeownership Month. 

The Jacksons bought their house through USDA’s Single-Family 

Housing Direct Loan program. Today, they are paying less for 

their mortgage than they had been paying in monthly rent.

USDA Rural Development provided the Shoshone Paiute Indian 

Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation with a Community 

Facilities loan and grant for a new headquarters building. 

Tribal council members were working in cramped, temporary 

office space after their old headquarters was condemned due 

to mold. Tribal leaders broke ground for their state-of-the-art 

headquarters in 2014.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Shoshone Paiute Indian Tribes of the 

Duck Valley headquarters building in Owyhee County, ID.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $135,047,715 97 $19,773,616 14 $30,077,255 15 $184,898,586 126

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

Renewable Energy $6,370,114 175 $885,238 57 $200,811 34 $7,456,163 266

Business Grants $1,467,555 77 $261,000 14 $349,611 17 $2,078,166 108

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

VAPG $1,365,450 11 $300,000 1 $0 0 $1,665,450 12

SFH Direct $115,781,736 860 $10,861,551 95 $7,574,619 60 $134,217,906 1,015

SFH Guaranteed $834,002,164 6,214 $252,744,855 1,752 $220,310,574 1,524 $1,307,057,593 9,490

SFH Repairs $1,815,539 310 $204,645 34 $222,116 36 $2,242,300 380

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,442,165 5 $0 0 $379,899 1 $1,822,064 6

MFH Direct $13,274,655 27 $0 0 $0 0 $13,274,655 27

MFH Guaranteed $3,215,000 5 $2,250,000 2 $0 0 $5,465,000 7

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

Rental Assistance $51,825,701 477 $10,464,768 106 $16,528,896 139 $78,819,365 722

CF Direct $20,055,700 26 $6,465,000 6 $3,307,000 4 $29,827,700 36

CF Guaranteed $2,541,000 10 $0 0 $300,000 1 $2,841,000 11

CF Grants $1,369,406 38 $187,520 11 $380,492 7 $1,937,418 56

WWD Direct $81,778,000 41 $8,963,000 7 $3,742,000 6 $94,483,000 54

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

WWD Grants $29,125,476 59 $5,087,690 17 $5,788,609 19 $40,001,775 95

Telecom $49,828,449 21 $0 0 $1,517,215 5 $51,345,664 26

Electric $85,932,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $85,932,000 4

Other Programs $1,799,590 11 $104,443 2 $0 0 $1,904,033 13

IDAHO TOTAL $1,440,012,415 8,472 $318,553,326 2,118 $292,679,097 1,869 $2,051,244,838 12,459

Idaho Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
34 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

ILLINOIS

Community Economic Development

USDA Funds Services for Elderly and People With 

Disabilities in Rural Illinois

Innovative Care for Special-Needs Seniors

Rural Development helped the Hancock County Senior Services 

Association build a “memory care” facility in Carthage, IL, to 

serve patients with dementia or other cognitive issues.

Maple Grove Apartments uses a “small house” design, a new 

concept in assisted living to make facilities more home-like and 

family-oriented. Small house facilities have a small number of 

residents per building and central, common areas for socializing 

and eating meals.

At Maple Grove, staff members can cook and serve family-style 

meals around a single table, while residents chat at the counter 

as they are prepared. Diagnosis and medical treatment areas are 

discretely located on the periphery of the complex.

Rural Development gave the senior services association a $1 

million Rural Economic Development loan, a $300,000 Rural 

Economic Development grant, and a $2.2 million Community 

Facilities loan to help complete the project.

Maple Grove provides a safe environment for seniors whose 

cognitive issues could make them vulnerable in a larger, 

institutional venue. Also, small home care is less expensive than 

traditional nursing home care.

More Treatment Options for Brain Injuries

Winning Wheels is a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center 

in Prophetstown, IL, that attracts clients from across the United 

States. It is one of very few facilities offering rehab services and 

skilled nursing care. Most patients are permanent residents, but 

the center’s administrators wanted to start a short-term care 

program for clients who would return home after treatment.

USDA Rural Development provided a $3.9 million Community 

Facilities loan for a new, 1,600-square-foot wing with 16 private 

rooms for short-term patients.

Winning Wheels is the largest employer in this very small town 

of about 2,000 people. What’s most important, though, is the 

treatment outcome for clients: results which are simply life-changing.

Recycling Facility Provides Job Training for People 

with Disabilities

USDA Rural Development gave FAYCO Enterprises a Community 

Facilities loan in 2013 to buy a new, larger building to 

accommodate its booming recycling business; the only one in 

the region.

FAYCO Enterprises is a non-profit organization in Vandalia, IL, 

whose mission is to serve people with disabilities.

The organization administers programs that help people with 

developmental disabilities increase their social and daily 

living skills, gain work experience, and find jobs in their local 

communities. As part of its work development program, FAYCO 

runs the recycling center in Vandalia and contracts with local 

businesses to manufacture custom-made industrial products.

Connie and Harold Becker have been married for almost 40 years. She has ALS 

(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and he has progressive dementia, but they are able 

to stay together as a couple thanks to USDA funding for Maple Grove Apartments.

Patients and staff at Winning Wheels. The expansion is boosting Prophetstown’s 

economy through construction and lending activity and new jobs at the shortterm care facility.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 35

FAYCO carefully selects certain clients for work at its recycling 

or manufacturing facility based on their aptitude and ability 

and helps them hone their skills to increase their chances of 

outside employment.

FAYCO Enterprises has helped more than 200 adults with 

developmental disabilities in three Illinois counties get jobs.

FAYCO’s new, fully accessible recycling center is open, 

and seven area drop-off sites, available 24-7, ensure that 

business is steady. In 2014, USDA Rural Development helped 

FAYCO again: the agency gave the organization a $25,000 

Community Facilities grant for two forklifts to transport 

recyclables at the plant.

FAYCO Executive Director Kim Taylor operates one of the non-profit’s new 

forklifts at the recycling center in Vandalia.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $150,795,863 49 $11,995,000 4 $11,158,750 5 $173,949,613 58

IRP $4,405,000 7 $0 0 $0 0 $4,405,000 7

Renewable Energy $26,984,139 438 $4,294,874 68 $2,029,158 25 $33,308,171 531

Business Grants $4,356,589 51 $446,000 7 $605,000 8 $5,407,589 66

REDLG $5,810,000 10 $4,600,000 6 $11,809,502 8 $22,219,502 24

VAPG $1,107,681 11 $300,000 1 $341,079 2 $1,748,760 14

SFH Direct $108,829,040 1,369 $21,190,391 281 $18,604,300 241 $148,623,731 1,891

SFH Guaranteed $1,841,864,620 19,780 $461,360,667 4,753 $369,391,929 3,910 $2,672,617,216 28,443

SFH Repairs $9,986,341 2,044 $1,813,342 365 $2,038,020 420 $13,837,703 2,829

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

MFH Direct $6,573,711 24 $255,366 1 $2,614,427 4 $9,443,504 29

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

Farm Labor Housing $187,650 1 $1,455,541 1 $0 0 $1,643,191 2

Rental Assistance $88,569,884 1,456 $19,408,888 320 $24,129,216 383 $132,107,988 2,159

CF Direct $37,410,154 32 $47,166,400 8 $10,862,500 6 $95,439,054 46

CF Guaranteed $12,436,000 7 $9,679,000 2 $0 0 $22,115,000 9

CF Grants $3,014,073 107 $320,517 19 $511,175 25 $3,845,765 151

WWD Direct $143,156,650 123 $27,845,000 27 $25,104,000 23 $196,105,650 173

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $756,750 1 $0 0 $756,750 1

WWD Grants $46,308,272 94 $6,292,000 17 $11,567,890 28 $64,168,162 139

Telecom $152,650,999 26 $1,185,020 2 $2,005,013 5 $155,841,032 33

Electric $98,085,000 7 $7,750,000 1 $27,305,000 2 $133,140,000 10

Other Programs $3,761,254 26 $451,210 5 $3,672,075 7 $7,884,540 38

ILLINOIS TOTAL $2,777,226,710 25,671 $628,565,966 5,889 $523,749,034 5,102 $3,929,541,711 36,662

Illinois Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
36 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

INDIANA

The Bioeconomy

Technology Company Adopts Solar Technology To 

Reduce Its Energy Costs

Headsight, Inc., in Bremen, IN, manufactures technologically 

advanced header control systems for corn and grain harvesters 

and combines.

Owner Rich Gramm grew up on the family farm in Bremen. The 

company was established in the mid-1990s when a neighboring 

farmer talked with Gramm about shortcomings with his corn 

header equipment. Gramm sat down at the kitchen table with 

scratch paper and mapped out a solution for his neighbor. Today, 

Headsight control systems are sold at authorized dealerships 

across the country.

USDA Rural Development gave Headsight a $19,800 Rural Energy 

for America Program (REAP) grant for a photovoltaic solar panel 

array. Through the REAP program, USDA provides loans and 

grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to 

purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy 

efficiency improvements.

Headsight’s new solar array will generate about 26,900 kWh of 

energy each year, helping the company cut its energy costs.

Headsight, Inc., in Bremen, IN, is using a USDA Rural Energy for America 

Program grant to install a solar panel system that will reduce its energy costs.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $97,419,255 38 $4,530,338 5 $4,235,000 3 $106,184,593 46

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

Renewable Energy $23,361,156 354 $5,339,780 96 $2,041,698 37 $30,742,634 487

Business Grants $3,042,380 51 $526,000 7 $543,000 9 $4,111,380 67

REDLG $2,100,000 4 $1,404,000 3 $0 0 $3,504,000 7

VAPG $611,795 8 $308,500 4 $130,000 1 $1,050,295 13

SFH Direct $172,827,565 1,611 $23,865,092 217 $20,876,351 174 $217,569,008 2,002

SFH Guaranteed $1,957,239,666 18,854 $594,027,793 5,381 $540,934,430 5,001 $3,092,201,889 29,236

SFH Repairs $5,420,139 1,068 $1,023,761 181 $1,058,433 183 $7,502,333 1,432

SFH Self-Help Grants $954,132 4 $0 0 $0 0 $954,132 4

MFH Direct $1,636,449 8 $1,001,640 3 $1,538,176 4 $4,176,265 15

MFH Guaranteed $6,816,000 9 $224,000 1 $0 0 $7,040,000 10

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

Rental Assistance $71,107,572 1,240 $15,618,144 259 $20,818,272 342 $107,543,988 1,841

CF Direct $156,462,681 34 $2,439,000 3 $2,184,390 2 $161,086,071 39

CF Guaranteed $19,524,999 5 $0 0 $2,000,000 1 $21,524,999 6

CF Grants $3,676,303 62 $165,200 8 $337,604 7 $4,179,107 77

WWD Direct $181,091,100 79 $12,621,000 7 $39,520,000 11 $233,232,100 97

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

WWD Grants $70,200,558 45 $5,629,900 5 $31,410,500 12 $107,240,958 62

Telecom $127,461,982 13 $0 0 $715,080 1 $128,177,062 14

Electric $631,126,000 17 $128,340,000 3 $20,056,000 3 $779,522,000 23

Other Programs $1,421,424 32 $260,894 5 $267,190 5 $1,949,508 42

INDIANA TOTAL $3,533,851,156 23,538 $797,325,042 6,188 $688,666,124 5,796 $5,019,842,322 35,522

Indiana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 37

IOWA

Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Helps New Iowa Food Processing 

Company Get Started

In August 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited 

Iowa Choice Harvest, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in 

Marshalltown, IA, that started earlier with help from USDA Rural 

Development.

“While we’re extremely proud of our corn and soybean growers, 

we also want to make sure fruit and vegetable producers have 

access to processing facilities — such as Iowa Choice Harvest — 

that can link them to grocery stores and restaurants interested in 

locally grown products,” Vilsack told the owners and employees 

during his tour.

USDA Rural Development provided Iowa Choice Harvest with 

$662,000 in Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan and ValueAdded Producer Grant funds. The loan helped start and equip 

the business, and the grant was used for marketing materials.

Frozen sweet corn and apples were the first products the 

company brought to market, and Aronia berries and Bolero 

carrots came next.

Iowa Choice Harvest is one of the projects financed by Rural 

Development through USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your 

Food Initiative to increase consumers’ access to fresh, nutritious, 

locally produced foods.

Iowa Choice Harvest GM Craig Shultz shows Secretary Vilsack processing 

equipment at the Marshalltown plant. The central Iowa farmers who started the 

company developed processes to freeze fruits and vegetables and then created 

a distribution network for them.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $228,704,996 76 $29,076,745 8 $41,776,500 8 $299,558,241 92

IRP $2,345,219 7 $0 0 $500,000 1 $2,845,219 8

Renewable Energy $109,423,069 1,654 $8,068,799 191 $2,138,911 68 $119,630,779 1,913

Business Grants $3,690,374 53 $306,000 7 $519,999 9 $4,516,373 69

REDLG $21,148,000 54 $6,491,000 12 $12,886,000 21 $40,525,000 87

VAPG $5,002,174 29 $958,487 5 $397,056 5 $6,357,717 39

SFH Direct $104,762,618 1,217 $8,535,919 105 $6,029,043 71 $119,327,580 1,393

SFH Guaranteed $834,268,143 8,663 $269,085,610 2,559 $240,684,746 2,339 $1,344,038,499 13,561

SFH Repairs $4,729,897 1,127 $742,671 165 $739,653 162 $6,212,221 1,454

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

MFH Direct $2,264,474 12 $263,191 2 $167,172 3 $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 $73,747,660 948 $16,936,788 208 $20,476,368 249 $111,160,816 1,405

CF Direct $184,457,645 59 $51,912,054 12 $24,080,200 9 $260,449,899 80

CF Guaranteed $58,474,287 22 $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $61,474,287 23

CF Grants $14,850,396 291 $798,650 35 $1,479,976 53 $17,129,022 379

WWD Direct $82,082,660 76 $21,715,000 15 $12,175,000 12 $115,972,660 103

WWD Guaranteed $5,300,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $5,300,000 1

WWD Grants $52,847,923 74 $7,615,300 17 $11,981,250 22 $72,444,473 113

Telecom $267,087,603 49 $7,648,000 1 $15,480,350 3 $290,215,953 53

Electric $248,182,000 22 $58,800,000 6 $11,500,000 2 $318,482,000 30

Other Programs $27,407,884 28 $37,830 3 $291,741 5 $27,737,455 36

IOWA TOTAL $2,339,421,713 14,473 $491,992,044 3,352 $403,303,965 3,042 $3,234,717,722 20,867

Iowa Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
38 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

KANSAS

Community Economic Development

New Farm Bill and USDA Help a Kansas Mom 

Become a Homeowner

Megan Estrada and her three children are excited to spend time 

on their front porch — they just moved into their new home 

over the summer. For the last 9 years, the family lived in an 

apartment in Dodge City, KS.

Estrada tried to buy a home 4 years ago, but was turned down 

because of her credit history. Afterwards, she worked to build up her 

credit. In May 2014, she heard that USDA would be offering home 

loans in Dodge City and called her bank to find out how to apply.

Dodge City became eligible for USDA’s housing programs 

through the 2014 Farm Bill, which designated certain areas with 

populations up to 35,000 as rural for assistance from USDA.

Estrada was approved for a USDA Rural Development 

Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan and was the first Dodge City 

resident to get a home through the program. USDA partnered 

with Landmark National Bank on the loan for her new threebedroom house.

“The kids enjoy having a backyard to play in,” she said. “And I like 

letting them play outside where I know they’re safe.”

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has helped more than 

11,000 Kansas residents purchase a home.

Megan Estrada and her children enjoying the swing on the porch of their new 

home, financed by a USDA Rural Development home loan guarantee.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $98,656,041 44 $9,659,300 6 $13,043,200 6 $121,358,541 56

IRP $425,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $425,000 2

Renewable Energy $39,182,465 265 $5,046,356 85 $2,988,062 56 $47,216,883 406

Business Grants $2,401,265 33 $229,000 2 $257,000 3 $2,887,265 38

REDLG $18,891,556 36 $2,887,020 5 $10,295,000 7 $32,073,576 48

VAPG $999,183 6 $25,000 1 $384,397 7 $1,408,580 14

SFH Direct $60,939,497 723 $9,601,105 114 $7,690,932 86 $78,231,534 923

SFH Guaranteed $805,575,687 7,983 $216,158,027 2,022 $147,276,293 1,359 $1,169,010,007 11,364

SFH Repairs $3,714,481 687 $567,254 103 $405,095 75 $4,686,830 865

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,073,000 4 $677,000 3 $0 0 $1,750,000 7

MFH Direct $19,177,547 45 $0 0 $924,241 3 $20,101,788 48

MFH Guaranteed $2,447,108 2 $0 0 $500,000 1 $2,947,108 3

Farm Labor Housing $3,000,000 2 $1,465,223 2 $0 0 $4,465,223 4

Rental Assistance $37,074,220 689 $7,733,084 138 $9,672,397 169 $54,479,701 996

CF Direct $46,571,155 40 $23,415,400 8 $25,601,800 9 $95,588,355 57

CF Guaranteed $29,360,067 10 $0 0 $0 0 $29,360,067 10

CF Grants $18,494,925 73 $379,800 12 $205,550 7 $19,080,275 92

WWD Direct $123,792,470 94 $38,330,600 18 $32,494,000 22 $194,617,070 134

WWD Guaranteed $4,200,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $4,200,000 2

WWD Grants $57,570,262 63 $8,617,000 11 $24,523,600 24 $90,710,862 98

Telecom $371,790,330 43 $0 0 $1,273,970 4 $373,064,300 47

Electric $405,251,000 30 $89,095,000 6 $46,251,938 4 $540,597,938 40

Other Programs $1,170,263 14 $50,000 2 $35,199 1 $1,255,462 17

KANSAS TOTAL $2,151,757,522 10,890 $413,936,169 2,538 $323,822,674 1,843 $2,889,516,365 15,271

Kansas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 39

KENTUCKY

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

Rural Manufacturer Gets Boost From USDA

Randy Hart — an Air Force veteran and tool-and-die enthusiast 

— started Superior Battery, a manufacturing business in Russell 

Springs, KY, with his wife and four nephews more than 30 years 

ago. Superior Battery has battled fierce competition, a disastrous 

plant fire, and a severe economic recession in an area that 

struggles with persistent poverty.

Today though, through Hart’s leadership, Superior is a major 

player in an industry where more than 90 percent of his 

competitors went bust. About 30 percent of company revenue 

comes from exports to dozens of countries around the world.

USDA Rural Development partnered with Community Trust Bank 

to provide Superior Battery with a $10 million Business and 

Industry Guaranteed Loan for improvements that saved money, 

increased profits, and saved more than 160 jobs and created 25 

new ones.

These jobs are vital to the community. In early 2014, Fruit of 

the Loom closed its local plant and 600 people lost their jobs. 

The closure was devastating: the county population is less than 

18,000 and there are few meaningful employment opportunities. 

However, the USDA investment will help Superior Battery grow 

its business and improve the economic climate. USDA is targeting 

assistance to the county through its StrikeForce Initiative to help 

economically distressed rural communities.

Rural Development KY State Director Thomas Fern (left) and Superior Battery’s 

owner, Randy Hart (right), discuss plant operations as they watch a brand-new 

battery come off the assembly line.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $214,391,677 44 $16,980,000 6 $27,950,000 5 $259,321,677 55

IRP $2,626,000 5 $1,000,000 1 $500,000 1 $4,126,000 7

Renewable Energy $10,737,207 201 $2,267,719 75 $957,850 32 $13,962,776 308

Business Grants $5,517,050 39 $571,000 8 $919,918 14 $7,007,968 61

REDLG $6,483,100 14 $4,000,000 4 $0 0 $10,483,100 18

VAPG $1,496,710 13 $161,630 2 $212,065 2 $1,870,405 17

SFH Direct $172,618,931 1,714 $26,339,449 306 $25,828,023 287 $224,786,403 2,307

SFH Guaranteed $1,436,336,448 12,814 $532,569,837 4,550 $492,923,634 4,254 $2,461,829,919 21,618

SFH Repairs $10,867,760 1,948 $2,570,013 419 $2,796,983 476 $16,234,756 2,843

SFH Self-Help Grants $550,000 2 $450,000 1 $0 0 $1,000,000 3

MFH Direct $5,544,666 15 $703,447 1 $3,262,907 3 $9,511,020 19

MFH Guaranteed $3,726,193 5 $2,814,000 2 $0 0 $6,540,193 7

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

Rental Assistance $65,082,936 1,043 $14,628,936 229 $20,125,560 312 $99,837,432 1,584

CF Direct $241,447,032 68 $49,630,000 11 $72,088,400 18 $363,165,432 97

CF Guaranteed $34,339,406 2 $0 0 $0 0 $34,339,406 2

CF Grants $9,533,756 155 $809,487 21 $1,086,239 26 $11,429,482 202

WWD Direct $193,882,100 108 $43,178,000 28 $49,307,000 27 $286,367,100 163

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

WWD Grants $72,357,339 103 $13,722,300 27 $27,080,000 27 $113,159,639 157

Telecom $286,962,101 36 $24,020,000 1 $10,879,841 5 $321,861,942 42

Electric $886,772,000 22 $81,011,000 4 $114,940,000 5 $1,082,723,000 31

Other Programs $21,089,383 70 $4,695,160 19 $3,529,076 15 $29,313,619 104

KENTUCKY TOTAL $3,682,361,795 18,421 $822,121,978 5,715 $854,387,496 5,509 $5,358,871,269 29,645

Kentucky Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
40 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

LOUISIANA

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

USDA Helps Family Support Services Agency

Coastal Communities Consulting, Inc. in Gretna, LA, is a nonprofit that serves economically disadvantaged rural residents 

in coastal southeast Louisiana. Coastal Communities provides 

family support services, financial planning assistance, computer 

and technology classes, and help with U.S. immigration and tax 

systems. Its clients include Cambodian- and Vietnamese-origin 

fishers working along the coast.

USDA Rural Development gave a $200,000 grant to Coastal 

Communities that it used to provide technical and multi-lingual 

assistance to small, socially disadvantaged commercial fishers, 

farmers, and other small rural business owners in the region.

These hard working entrepreneurs often face social, financial, 

and language barriers that make it difficult to access government 

resources. The owners of these coastal businesses have been 

underserved for years even though their businesses — mainly 

growing and harvesting seafood — are vital to Louisiana’s economy.

USDA is helping to reverse this trend by targeting assistance 

to the region through its StrikeForce Initiative to increase 

investments in rural places with persistent poverty.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $334,540,577 72 $60,908,742 16 $89,983,000 17 $485,432,319 105

IRP $750,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $750,000 1

Renewable Energy $2,920,760 45 $326,322 14 $1,010,088 14 $4,257,170 73

Business Grants $3,073,594 22 $379,000 3 $559,520 7 $4,012,114 32

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

VAPG $342,340 3 $0 0 $200,000 1 $542,340 4

SFH Direct $145,332,213 1,195 $16,180,931 134 $21,739,411 174 $183,252,555 1,503

SFH Guaranteed $3,075,815,178 21,897 $820,275,355 5,560 $694,736,759 4,711 $4,590,827,292 32,168

SFH Repairs $7,342,703 1,035 $1,343,905 172 $1,471,230 204 $10,157,838 1,411

SFH Self-Help Grants $972,150 3 $367,650 2 $279,000 1 $1,618,800 6

MFH Direct $9,420,119 13 $0 0 $6,640,692 13 $16,060,811 26

MFH Guaranteed $3,347,088 4 $0 0 $1,160,000 1 $4,507,088 5

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

Rental Assistance $131,037,557 1,005 $28,852,488 214 $36,585,108 277 $196,475,153 1,496

CF Direct $43,695,684 33 $39,182,300 7 $17,575,000 2 $100,452,984 42

CF Guaranteed $1,526,500 2 $0 0 $8,000,000 1 $9,526,500 3

CF Grants $3,934,706 66 $355,280 13 $369,800 14 $4,659,786 93

WWD Direct $88,877,200 58 $20,557,071 10 $18,239,400 9 $127,673,671 77

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

WWD Grants $53,853,665 46 $5,985,000 7 $6,631,832 8 $66,470,497 61

Telecom $51,691,543 13 $351,989 1 $2,785,024 2 $54,828,556 16

Electric $412,690,000 8 $0 0 $200,698,000 1 $613,388,000 9

Other Programs $2,097,359 13 $89,493 2 $91,298,745 5 $93,485,597 20

LOUISIANA TOTAL $4,373,260,936 25,534 $995,155,526 6,155 $1,199,962,609 5,462 $6,568,379,071 37,151

Louisiana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden (front row, right) and other USDA 

officials met with Coastal Communities employees to discuss USDA financial 

programs that can support the non-profit’s service mission.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 41

MAINE

The Bioeconomy

Preserving Maine’s Great Outdoors Through 

Renewable Energy

Mt. Abram, a ski area in Maine’s western mountains, is the first 

solar-powered ski area in the State that uses renewable energy.

To help the resort further its dedication to sustainability, USDA 

Rural Development gave Mt. Abram a $235,000 Rural Energy for 

America Program (REAP) grant to help purchase an 803-panel 

solar photovoltaic system. Construction was completed in 2014. 

The solar array will generate 280,000 kWh in energy each year 

and meet about 70 percent of the resort’s power needs.

Mt. Abram uses low-energy snow guns to provide snow cover and 

a wood pellet boiler to heat its lodge. It calls itself the “World’s 

Largest Snow Making Site.” It also has two electric car chargers 

for customers. Mt. Abram received a “Golden Eagle Award for 

Environmental Excellence” for its reduced use of fossil fuels.

Mt. Abram is the second-largest solar-powered ski area in the 

country. It typically draws about 40,000 skiers during the season. 

Ski and nature enthusiasts enjoy this beautiful recreational facility 

as much as they do its commitment to preserving the environment.

Rural Development Maine State Director Virginia Manuel (center) stands in front 

of Mt. Abram’s solar array with the owner, local community leaders, and other 

public officials who helped make this unique project a reality.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $31,331,545 24 $13,413,493 5 $18,248,851 6 $62,993,889 35

IRP $1,584,000 4 $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $2,584,000 5

Renewable Energy $4,892,174 84 $447,017 29 $269,348 28 $5,608,539 141

Business Grants $5,862,153 48 $381,400 7 $473,900 8 $6,717,453 63

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

VAPG $54,201 2 $349,770 2 $471,571 5 $875,542 9

SFH Direct $151,865,452 1,081 $22,197,384 155 $27,622,493 181 $201,685,329 1,417

SFH Guaranteed $1,031,491,946 7,446 $322,933,661 2,238 $268,786,078 1,904 $1,623,211,685 11,588

SFH Repairs $4,517,178 851 $909,311 160 $764,446 129 $6,190,935 1,140

SFH Self-Help Grants $2,180,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $2,180,000 3

MFH Direct $16,836,750 29 $503,755 1 $590,416 2 $17,930,921 32

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

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

Rental Assistance $111,535,062 1,024 $22,837,320 199 $31,539,960 269 $165,912,342 1,492

CF Direct $26,419,650 42 $9,281,000 4 $768,500 6 $36,469,150 52

CF Guaranteed $16,230,900 9 $5,040,000 2 $3,472,724 2 $24,743,624 13

CF Grants $4,074,153 67 $350,975 11 $385,492 9 $4,810,620 87

WWD Direct $51,884,374 75 $13,651,000 11 $21,645,000 14 $87,180,374 100

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

WWD Grants $59,976,812 92 $8,524,004 18 $19,291,500 22 $87,792,316 132

Telecom $20,772,645 36 $0 0 $2,692,611 8 $23,465,256 44

Electric $12,248,000 4 $5,900,000 1 $593,000 1 $18,741,000 6

Other Programs $9,941,666 38 $663,633 7 $1,162,639 5 $11,767,938 50

MAINE TOTAL $1,563,698,661 10,959 $428,383,723 2,851 $398,778,529 2,599 $2,390,860,913 16,409

Maine Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
42 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

MARYLAND

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Animal Rescue Agency Expand Operations

HART for Animals, Inc. is a Maryland non-profit that rescues homeless 

pets and helps place them in new homes. When HART outgrew 

its old space, workers there turned to USDA Rural Development 

for help to expand and continue serving the community.

USDA Rural Development awarded $1.7 million in Community 

Facilities loan and grant funds for a new, 12,000-square-foot 

facility with a veterinary clinic, boarding and grooming areas, an 

adoption wing for up to 100 animals, and office space. The HART 

Animal Center grand opening was in May 2014.

HART, based in Accident, MD, has an impressive network of 

supporters and volunteers. Garrett County donated 6.85 acres 

for the center and HART staff raised almost $262,000 in private 

donations for the project. 

Since 2003, HART has rescued more than 6,000 homeless pets in 

Western Maryland.

Thanks to the new, larger center, HART has already expanded its 

animal care and rescue activities. It has increased full-time staff 

from 3 to 22 employees. Center leaders expect to support a total 

of 50 jobs once the facility is operating at full capacity.

USDA and other Federal, State, and county leaders, join HART executives to 

celebrate the new HART Animal Center. Front and center is José, a special friend 

of HART for Animals. 

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $38,956,485 18 $8,615,000 3 $8,944,000 4 $56,515,485 25

IRP $1,669,000 3 $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $2,669,000 4

Renewable Energy $1,459,327 40 $1,105,188 20 $292,706 10 $2,857,221 70

Business Grants $5,563,684 32 $1,358,389 7 $1,395,000 7 $8,317,073 46

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

VAPG $1,471,326 13 $255,875 3 $430,226 5 $2,157,427 21

SFH Direct $61,158,312 320 $3,713,723 21 $7,277,912 41 $72,149,947 382

SFH Guaranteed $1,307,833,802 6,510 $550,401,635 2,640 $450,629,713 2,197 $2,308,865,150 11,347

SFH Repairs $1,073,946 155 $228,224 34 $318,525 48 $1,620,695 237

SFH Self-Help Grants $0 0 $0 0 $319,995 1 $319,995 1

MFH Direct $1,258,323 2 $1,880,391 2 $1,901,318 4 $5,040,032 8

MFH Guaranteed $6,559,000 3 $1,420,000 1 $4,495,676 2 $12,474,676 6

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

Rental Assistance $59,099,204 458 $13,096,080 97 $16,378,560 122 $88,573,844 677

CF Direct $27,420,400 19 $9,148,000 4 $7,933,600 5 $44,502,000 28

CF Guaranteed $2,500,000 1 $5,092,000 1 $0 0 $7,592,000 2

CF Grants $4,311,897 73 $521,190 14 $652,584 11 $5,485,671 98

WWD Direct $83,697,010 39 $14,598,000 10 $16,761,000 18 $115,056,010 67

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

WWD Grants $66,023,218 50 $12,010,013 10 $26,592,700 26 $104,625,931 86

Telecom $73,570,487 29 $0 0 $840,998 2 $74,411,485 31

Electric $227,623,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $227,623,000 4

Other Programs $5,032,967 30 $318,402 4 $2,046,897 11 $7,398,266 45

MARYLAND TOTAL $1,976,281,388 7,799 $624,762,110 2,872 $547,211,410 2,514 $3,148,254,908 13,185

Maryland Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 43

MASSACHUSETTS

Local and Regional Food Systems

Greenhouse Helps Massachusetts Middle Schoolers Learn About Nutrition

Educators at the Nauset Regional Middle School in Cape Cod, MA, wanted to expand 

students’ opportunities to learn about nutrition, healthy food choices and food 

systems. Although the school had a small greenhouse, students could only use it during 

the warmer months of the school year.

USDA Rural Development gave the school a $34,000 Community Facilities grant to help 

build a new free-standing, atrium-style polycarbonate greenhouse. School fundraisers 

helped raise about $100,700 to meet the total project costs.

The greenhouse will help students get hands-on learning during and after school. 

Science classes will use the greenhouse as a lab to study indigenous Cape Cod plant life. 

Health classes will explore the use of pesticides and the benefits of organic farming. 

Students will also learn about topics such as solar energy, protecting the environment, 

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $52,669,750 17 $0 0 $4,450,000 3 $57,119,750 20

IRP $1,311,000 3 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $2,311,000 4

Renewable Energy $6,910,105 74 $260,832 25 $159,942 12 $7,330,879 111

Business Grants $1,165,101 33 $228,000 5 $202,000 6 $1,595,101 44

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

VAPG $363,000 3 $48,000 1 $0 0 $411,000 4

SFH Direct $64,914,787 330 $6,034,957 32 $7,923,065 42 $78,872,809 404

SFH Guaranteed $596,880,112 3,065 $272,537,700 1,351 $217,582,874 1,059 $1,087,000,686 5,475

SFH Repairs $1,040,226 173 $212,526 35 $188,082 29 $1,440,834 237

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

MFH Direct $6,888,210 8 $2,081,990 2 $1,593,548 3 $10,563,748 13

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 $34,864,761 218 $7,916,160 46 $10,558,848 63 $53,339,769 327

CF Direct $40,429,400 34 $20,438,600 9 $6,174,000 3 $67,042,000 46

CF Guaranteed $11,532,500 10 $1,865,000 3 $0 0 $13,397,500 13

CF Grants $2,563,256 36 $216,520 5 $484,084 8 $3,263,860 49

WWD Direct $66,404,785 42 $7,540,000 8 $11,343,000 10 $85,287,785 60

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

WWD Grants $55,500,813 58 $3,181,000 12 $9,423,500 16 $68,105,313 86

Telecom $499,970 1 $0 0 $0 0 $499,970 1

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

Other Programs $3,322,160 19 $369,173 4 $935,931 4 $4,627,264 27

MASSACHUSETTS TOTAL $952,906,224 4,130 $322,930,458 1,538 $272,018,874 1,259 $1,547,855,556 6,927

Massachusetts Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Nauset Regional Middle School students help 

prepare the grounds for construction and 

installation of the school’s new greenhouse.

and the origins of food. They will grow 

food for the school cafeteria and get 

direct experience about the importance 

of locally grown foods and beneficial 

food choices.
44 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

MICHIGAN

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Small Michigan Community 

Expand and Renovate the Library

USDA Rural Development provided a $625,000 Community 

Facilities loan to help renovate and expand the library in Lake 

Odessa, MI. A local capital campaign for the expansion raised 

another $350,000. The groundbreaking was in August 2014.

The new library, which will serve Lake Odessa, Odessa Township, 

and Sebewa Township, will include a reading room for children 

and teenagers, a larger space for computer equipment and a 

community meeting room.

Libraries play a central role in helping people learn and 

communicate in today’s knowledge-based economy. They 

are especially important in communities where residents lack 

access to the Internet. Public libraries can help bridge the digital 

divide and bring new cultural, technological, and economic 

opportunities to rural customers.

The expansion of the Lake Odessa Community Library is an 

investment in new economic opportunities for this small, rural 

community of just over 2,000 people in western Michigan.

USDA and Village of Lake Odessa officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for 

the new, larger community library.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $209,299,355 83 $9,037,475 4 $20,922,000 6 $239,258,830 93

IRP $752,000 3 $500,000 1 $0 0 $1,252,000 4

Renewable Energy $8,096,381 272 $1,483,380 105 $479,051 45 $10,058,812 422

Business Grants $5,169,158 128 $688,000 20 $985,000 22 $6,842,158 170

REDLG $900,000 2 $300,000 1 $0 0 $1,200,000 3

VAPG $1,833,166 13 $1,200,000 4 $1,206,171 10 $4,239,337 27

SFH Direct $150,476,597 1,564 $22,553,474 239 $23,352,155 246 $196,382,226 2,049

SFH Guaranteed $2,681,150,514 26,925 $769,361,880 7,140 $719,647,544 6,447 $4,170,159,938 40,512

SFH Repairs $7,068,379 1,448 $1,616,375 320 $1,541,477 314 $10,226,231 2,082

SFH Self-Help Grants $572,900 3 $239,200 2 $0 0 $812,100 5

MFH Direct $16,604,936 36 $3,137,619 9 $1,408,908 3 $21,151,463 48

MFH Guaranteed $1,512,000 2 $3,150,000 2 $650,000 1 $5,312,000 5

Farm Labor Housing $1,098,798 8 $1,342,916 2 $146,800 1 $2,588,514 11

Rental Assistance $116,564,216 1,473 $22,132,488 270 $33,455,352 391 $172,152,056 2,134

CF Direct $110,144,140 93 $34,195,000 30 $65,016,000 22 $209,355,140 145

CF Guaranteed $26,597,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $26,597,000 6

CF Grants $9,081,626 333 $1,081,868 62 $1,257,006 53 $11,420,500 448

WWD Direct $372,928,000 170 $55,021,000 26 $49,466,000 34 $477,415,000 230

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

WWD Grants $131,589,813 111 $14,379,000 19 $19,619,500 22 $165,588,313 152

Telecom $126,201,929 21 $0 0 $625,300 3 $126,827,229 24

Electric $173,912,000 5 $106,759,000 2 $7,000,000 1 $287,671,000 8

Other Programs $15,491,785 43 $345,451 6 $292,733 6 $16,129,969 55

MICHIGAN TOTAL $4,167,044,693 32,742 $1,048,524,126 8,264 $947,070,997 7,627 $6,162,639,816 48,633

Michigan Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 45

MINNESOTA

Community Economic Development 

• Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Helps Boost Economic Development 

in Rural Minnesota

Minnesota’s Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) 

provides technical assistance for economic development projects 

for communities within its five-county service area in north 

central Minnesota. Its goal is to help area residents prosper 

through sustainable, long-term economic growth.

USDA Rural Development is a key partner helping R5DC achieve 

its vision and the lead Federal agency working to improve the 

quality of life in rural America.

With the help of a $200,000 USDA Rural Development Rural 

Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant, R5DC is 

supporting 10 essential community-based projects boosting local 

growth and tackling a variety of local development needs.

Projects receiving funding include a pilot quick-turn, short-term 

home loan program; the preservation of a 102-year-old building 

for conversion into a railroad history museum; and helping a 

non-profit regional food hub widen the distribution of fresh, 

local produce to a public school district and community college 

and provide a weekly farmers market at a local area hospital.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $79,689,198 40 $19,608,000 4 $25,614,000 10 $124,911,198 54

IRP $2,944,563 6 $0 0 $292,596 1 $3,237,159 7

Renewable Energy $30,775,376 751 $4,103,301 122 $1,549,672 45 $36,428,349 918

Business Grants $4,620,577 49 $579,568 8 $670,000 7 $5,870,145 64

REDLG $12,518,588 24 $3,300,000 4 $633,000 2 $16,451,588 30

VAPG $2,669,900 12 $1,226,835 5 $993,642 7 $4,890,377 24

SFH Direct $112,977,167 940 $13,286,332 112 $13,479,563 120 $139,743,062 1,172

SFH Guaranteed $1,587,115,551 13,507 $575,272,373 4,487 $502,958,121 3,893 $2,665,346,045 21,887

SFH Repairs $4,348,414 783 $1,057,166 178 $713,746 133 $6,119,326 1,094

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

MFH Direct $13,409,624 26 $0 0 $0 0 $13,409,624 26

MFH Guaranteed $2,326,174 2 $0 0 $0 0 $2,326,174 2

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

Rental Assistance $68,708,000 1,234 $15,735,408 261 $19,543,008 350 $103,986,416 1,845

CF Direct $171,397,200 107 $66,931,000 21 $95,318,500 19 $333,646,700 147

CF Guaranteed $45,400,000 12 $4,750,000 1 $7,580,800 2 $57,730,800 15

CF Grants $8,235,061 119 $561,178 17 $891,448 20 $9,687,687 156

WWD Direct $132,721,000 86 $21,495,000 14 $28,384,000 19 $182,600,000 119

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

WWD Grants $73,502,866 103 $12,894,000 19 $37,852,000 32 $124,248,866 154

Telecom $317,030,881 55 $0 0 $10,362,466 8 $327,393,347 63

Electric $561,215,000 37 $143,239,000 13 $62,998,000 5 $767,452,000 55

Other Programs $29,296,851 30 $1,037,661 8 $802,114 5 $31,136,626 43

MINNESOTA TOTAL $3,260,901,990 17,923 $885,076,822 5,274 $810,636,676 4,678 $4,956,615,489 27,875

Minnesota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

A USDA grant is helping a regional food hub distribute fresh, local produce in 

rural Minnesota.
46 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

MISSISSIPPI

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

Telemedicine Provides Equal Access to 

Healthcare in Underserved Communities

Many rural Mississippi hospitals have emergency departments 

staffed by non-emergency personnel because it is extremely 

difficult for them to attract or retain qualified physicians.

USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine 

program is addressing this healthcare inequality and increasing 

access to better quality care in rural areas. USDA awarded 

the University of Mississippi Medical Center a $378,000 grant 

for a telemedicine system serving 10 remote rural hospitals. 

Telemedicine links practitioners and specialists in a central 

location with remote medical providers using video conferencing 

equipment and other online technology.

A delay in medical care due to lengthy travel can be the 

difference between life and death. Thanks to the grant from 

USDA, the telemedicine program will provide rural Mississippi 

patients with real-time, 24-7 emergency and specialty medical 

care. The system will improve care for heart attacks, strokes, or 

traumatic injuries. It will also give the 10 remote, rural hospitals 

access to experienced, qualified medical providers, procedures 

and equipment. This project demonstrates Rural Development’s 

commitment to expanding access to healthcare and reducing the 

effects of poverty in rural communities.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $111,711,474 24 $12,435,000 4 $27,000,000 4 $151,146,474 32

IRP $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Renewable Energy $4,263,264 131 $1,247,332 39 $596,786 26 $6,107,382 196

Business Grants $3,483,437 52 $480,147 4 $564,000 5 $4,527,584 61

REDLG $13,860,000 21 $3,675,000 5 $4,000,000 2 $21,535,000 28

VAPG $502,826 5 $44,000 1 $0 0 $546,826 6

SFH Direct $126,479,715 1,401 $21,553,896 225 $25,142,373 244 $173,175,984 1,870

SFH Guaranteed $1,319,685,957 10,961 $405,881,073 3,216 $327,721,627 2,619 $2,053,288,657 16,796

SFH Repairs $10,633,504 1,553 $1,724,709 244 $2,886,080 406 $15,244,293 2,203

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,419,248 6 $290,708 2 $612,479 2 $2,322,435 10

MFH Direct $4,531,483 13 $0 0 $0 0 $4,531,483 13

MFH Guaranteed $1,529,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $1,529,000 6

Farm Labor Housing $3,404,350 3 $0 0 $2,694,917 2 $6,099,267 5

Rental Assistance $150,240,732 1,205 $33,156,864 267 $42,716,160 332 $226,113,756 1,804

CF Direct $36,143,986 28 $41,567,000 7 $3,942,400 3 $81,653,386 38

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $10,000,000 1 $0 0 $10,000,000 1

CF Grants $11,586,058 181 $1,264,471 44 $1,562,800 45 $14,413,329 270

WWD Direct $101,576,010 105 $14,655,000 10 $10,224,159 14 $126,455,169 129

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

WWD Grants $67,236,571 78 $2,962,500 6 $10,718,360 9 $80,917,431 93

Telecom $45,511,873 15 $1,561,868 3 $3,200,361 7 $50,274,102 25

Electric $1,243,979,000 15 $181,751,000 1 $54,269,000 1 $1,479,999,000 17

Other Programs $97,102,217 46 $4,627,326 11 $3,901,045 9 $105,630,588 66

MISSISSIPPI TOTAL $3,354,880,705 15,849 $738,877,894 4,090 $521,752,547 3,730 $4,615,511,146 23,669

Mississippi Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

University of Mississippi Medical Center staff members give a demonstration of 

the new telemedicine system.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 47

MISSOURI

Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Helps Organic Dairy Boost Retail Sales

Family dairy farmers Steve and Veronica Baetje settled in Sainte Genevieve County to 

raise goats and make organic goat cheese. The area’s climate, soil, topography, and 

water, combined with a growing wine industry, were an ideal environment for their 

goats and for cheese-making.

USDA Rural Development gave Baetje Farms a $50,000 Value Added Producer Grant to 

help the Baetjes market their cheese products in specialty outlets throughout the St. 

Louis, MO, metropolitan area. They also used the funds to start a Website for retail and 

wholesale online sales.

The Baetjes began producing goat cheese in 2006 after building their first cheesemaking plant. They added a second plant in 2011 to meet growing customer demand. 

Their products are classified as “Pure Artisan Farmstead” cheeses — ones produced 

solely from their own herd’s goat milk.

Today, thanks to the grant from USDA, Baetje artisanal cheeses are sold in about 25 

restaurants and wineries in Sainte Genevieve County and the St. Louis region. They are 

Part of the Baetje Farms goat herd. This family 

dairy farm and creamery is thriving thanks to USDA 

grant assistance that helped the owners find new 

markets for their goat cheese and launch a Website 

for online sales.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $185,253,000 101 $29,875,000 20 $28,657,000 27 $243,785,000 148

IRP $1,175,000 3 $2,250,000 3 $962,500 2 $4,387,500 8

Renewable Energy $24,942,061 199 $4,572,187 68 $15,224,709 34 $44,738,957 301

Business Grants $4,135,146 96 $622,633 18 $715,000 20 $5,472,779 134

REDLG $8,720,000 17 $3,506,000 5 $750,000 1 $12,976,000 23

VAPG $2,112,828 19 $402,515 6 $1,529,043 13 $4,044,386 38

SFH Direct $179,445,728 1,974 $21,263,492 236 $22,263,845 242 $222,973,065 2,452

SFH Guaranteed $2,070,704,033 19,660 $650,687,121 5,916 $576,834,148 5,268 $3,298,225,302 30,844

SFH Repairs $7,029,509 1,563 $1,311,486 266 $1,469,631 291 $9,810,626 2,120

SFH Self-Help Grants $767,380 3 $0 0 $0 0 $767,380 3

MFH Direct $5,691,871 21 $0 0 $1,499,561 3 $7,191,432 24

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 $71,299,368 1,502 $15,430,464 326 $20,616,264 405 $107,346,096 2,233

CF Direct $170,441,905 95 $38,110,400 35 $7,618,800 22 $216,171,105 152

CF Guaranteed $66,628,720 15 $0 0 $120,000 1 $66,748,720 16

CF Grants $13,659,306 354 $532,820 39 $526,766 39 $14,718,892 432

WWD Direct $175,537,055 147 $39,075,950 34 $20,519,325 26 $235,132,330 207

WWD Guaranteed $1,400,000 1 $350,000 1 $0 0 $1,750,000 2

WWD Grants $89,035,128 140 $11,016,516 28 $10,595,529 29 $110,647,173 197

Telecom $204,400,540 49 $186,143 1 $10,192,703 6 $214,779,386 56

Electric $1,499,562,000 46 $145,006,000 5 $37,209,000 5 $1,681,777,000 56

Other Programs $1,949,476 17 $69,448 2 $826,629 7 $2,845,553 26

MISSOURI TOTAL $4,787,019,054 26,023 $964,268,175 7,009 $758,130,453 6,441 $6,509,417,682 39,473

Missouri Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

also sold across the United States and 

overseas through the online store. To date, 

Baetje Farms cheeses have won more than 

60 national and international awards.
48 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

MONTANA

Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Helps Provide Local Grocery for Tribal 

Community in “Food Desert”

Fresh healthy foods, along with more jobs, are coming to 

the Fort Belknap Indian Community, thanks to USDA Rural 

Development and a partnership with Fort Belknap tribal leaders.

USDA gave the Fort Belknap Indian Community a $317,000 Rural 

Business Enterprise Grant for a grocery store and healthy foods 

co-op. Construction started in Lodgepole, MT, in fall 2014. The 

facility will include a food market and a 1,000-square-foot pantry 

to store fresh fruits and vegetables. The locally grown produce 

will be featured at the market. 

The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, 40 miles south of the 

Canadian border, is a “food desert” with no local grocery 

— residents typically travel more than 30 miles to reach a 

supermarket. The new food market and co-op will provide tribal 

community members with easy access to fresh, nutritious foods 

that will also encourage healthier lifestyles.

In addition to the USDA Rural Development grant, State and 

tribal grants also supported the project. The Fort Belknap 

Community Economic Development Corporation will manage the 

market and co-op, which will employ 14 people.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $72,634,398 22 $0 0 $3,387,500 2 $76,021,898 24

IRP $3,721,000 8 $0 0 $2,250,000 3 $5,971,000 11

Renewable Energy $1,293,468 40 $208,697 9 $168,000 5 $1,670,165 54

Business Grants $2,441,029 68 $517,813 10 $757,106 12 $3,715,948 90

REDLG $1,421,472 5 $678,400 1 $300,000 1 $2,399,872 7

VAPG $348,520 6 $0 0 $25,750 2 $374,270 8

SFH Direct $95,321,011 658 $14,686,488 97 $5,577,013 41 $115,584,512 796

SFH Guaranteed $691,465,299 4,573 $243,854,574 1,512 $210,738,892 1,276 $1,146,058,765 7,361

SFH Repairs $874,057 153 $200,408 38 $67,148 14 $1,141,613 205

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,529,346 9 $567,060 2 $0 0 $4,096,406 11

MFH Direct $4,184,458 10 $506,341 1 $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 $22,458,348 378 $5,344,920 87 $5,768,280 94 $33,571,548 559

CF Direct $32,265,550 25 $6,551,000 5 $2,290,000 1 $41,106,550 31

CF Guaranteed $39,450,000 7 $0 0 $0 0 $39,450,000 7

CF Grants $7,338,490 61 $1,004,368 12 $1,224,829 10 $9,567,687 83

WWD Direct $48,609,000 47 $22,160,000 12 $11,964,000 12 $82,733,000 71

WWD Guaranteed $423,200 2 $0 0 $2,500,000 1 $2,923,200 3

WWD Grants $45,791,636 59 $13,877,600 15 $15,999,500 16 $75,668,736 90

Telecom $338,627,735 23 $20,839,000 1 $363,326 1 $359,830,061 25

Electric $108,754,000 13 $0 0 $24,856,000 3 $133,610,000 16

Other Programs $11,365,385 33 $2,548,018 5 $2,816,030 6 $16,729,433 44

MONTANA TOTAL $1,533,772,999 6,201 $333,544,687 1,807 $291,053,374 1,500 $2,158,371,060 9,508

Montana Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

A USDA grant is supplying fresh, healthy foods to the Fort Belknap Indian Community.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 49

NEBRASKA

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Rural Nebraska Community Solve Its 

Housing Shortage

McCook, NE, had a shortage of affordable housing, especially for 

senior citizens and people with disabilities. To meet this need, a 

group of citizens, working with the McCook Housing Authority, 

developed plans to convert a former elementary school and 

playground into a multi-family housing complex for seniors and 

disabled individuals.

USDA Rural Development partnered with the Federal Home Loan 

Bank of Topeka to provide a $705,000 Guaranteed Rural Rental 

Housing loan for East Ward Village Apartments. Low-income 

housing tax credits, city funds, and equity from the McCook 

Housing Authority also supported the project.

The former grade school was converted into 15 apartments and 

6 new duplexes were built onsite. Builders incorporated energy 

efficiency into the design to help residents save money on their 

energy costs. The duplexes have geothermal heating and cooling 

systems, and apartments in the renovated school building have 

energy-efficient air-to-heat pumps. Other amenities include free 

Wi-Fi for tenants.

All the units were rented almost immediately — the complex 

is 100-percent occupied. Residents are enjoying their new, safe 

affordable apartments.

At East Ward Village Apartments, an old school building was converted into 15 

new, modern apartments. Six duplexes were also built on the grounds.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $111,009,209 61 $11,897,500 9 $4,585,750 3 $127,492,459 73

IRP $1,873,000 4 $0 0 $175,558 1 $2,048,558 5

Renewable Energy $21,663,879 569 $5,200,526 119 $3,732,966 30 $30,597,371 718

Business Grants $3,248,761 45 $269,000 5 $429,185 5 $3,946,946 55

REDLG $4,729,119 12 $1,998,000 5 $283,500 1 $7,010,619 18

VAPG $1,120,728 10 $366,561 3 $176,018 1 $1,663,307 14

SFH Direct $40,778,932 562 $4,804,119 58 $2,546,675 30 $48,129,726 650

SFH Guaranteed $405,613,932 4,450 $124,229,191 1,241 $104,446,970 1,081 $634,290,093 6,772

SFH Repairs $2,088,543 384 $273,341 50 $136,486 21 $2,498,370 455

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

MFH Direct $3,379,066 19 $0 0 $0 0 $3,379,066 19

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $807,000 1 $0 0 $807,000 1

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

Rental Assistance $24,998,448 457 $5,825,856 100 $6,847,296 119 $37,671,600 676

CF Direct $116,613,500 42 $30,894,700 6 $47,357,000 9 $194,865,200 57

CF Guaranteed $52,895,000 9 $0 0 $4,000,000 2 $56,895,000 11

CF Grants $2,926,128 66 $289,449 9 $438,243 9 $3,653,820 84

WWD Direct $44,632,000 47 $9,816,000 13 $4,314,500 8 $58,762,500 68

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

WWD Grants $26,187,300 52 $3,041,900 10 $4,548,300 8 $33,777,500 70

Telecom $145,822,248 25 $5,265,000 1 $2,108,254 8 $153,195,502 34

Electric $27,619,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $27,619,000 3

Other Programs $2,634,667 20 $280,869 4 $1,487,500 7 $4,403,036 31

NEBRASKA TOTAL $1,039,833,461 6,837 $205,259,012 1,634 $187,614,201 1,343 $1,432,706,674 9,814

Nebraska Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
50 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

NEVADA

Community Economic Development • StrikeForce Initiative 

• Local and Regional Food Systems

Reaching Out to Hispanic and Tribal Customers

In 2014, USDA Rural Development focused on increasing outreach and investments 

in Hispanic and tribal communities across rural Nevada. Rural Development targeted 

assistance to these communities through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and 

Opportunity Initiative that delivers resources to economically distressed areas and 

through a special State-based, multi-year economic development plan.

Helping Nevada Hispanics Learn About 

USDA Homeownership Opportunities

Staff at USDA Rural Development wanted to improve communications with potential 

homebuyers who speak Spanish and increase the community’s awareness of the USDA 

Single-Family Housing Direct Loan program. About 27 percent of Nevadans are Latino/

Hispanic, and most prefer to use their native language at home.

The agency developed three “Mi casa en rural Nevada” Spanish-language YouTube 

videos to educate potential customers about homeownership, publicize the availability 

of USDA home loans, and boost participation in the program. 

Other outreach efforts included hosting a Hispanic Homeownership Forum in Las Vegas, 

building relationships with a wide range of Latino/Hispanic media outlets and service 

organizations, and providing Spanish-language Internet content and announcements 

about the program.

Increased Investments in Underserved Tribal Communities

Rural Development partnered with USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources 

Conservation Service for a series of StrikeForce meetings with Nevada tribal leaders. 

The purpose was to learn about tribal community needs, help tribes plan for the 

The Walker River Paiute Tribe in Schurz, NV, is using 

hoop houses to grow fruits and vegetables for the 

community. Children learn about planting and 

growing in the hoop house gardens. The produce 

is donated to tribal elders at the senior center and 

used at the youth center.

future, and ensure they are taking full 

advantage of funding opportunities 

available through USDA. 

As a result, a number of tribal projects 

were awarded USDA Rural Development 

funding for economic development 

projects, including:

• A $15,036 grant to the Indian Dispute 

Resolution Services, Inc., to teach 

Pyramid Lake, Walker River Paiute, and 

Washoe tribal members how to start 

or develop a business.

• An $18,750 Economic Impact Initiative 

grant for the Walker River Paiute Tribe 

for a commercial dishwasher and 

awning at its senior center.

• A $48,940 grant for the Wells Band of 

the TeMoak Tribe to buy equipment 

for a new retail center and provide 

retail operations training.

• A $99,950 Rural Business Enterprise 

Grant for the Fort McDermitt Tribe to 

help open a travel plaza.

• $42,900 in Community Facilities grants 

for the Washoe Tribe to build and 

equip a law enforcement substation 

at Carson Colony and install flooring 

and bleachers at its Stewart Colony 

community/wellness center.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 51

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $40,005,680 17 $8,035,160 4 $11,856,000 4 $59,896,840 25

IRP $700,000 1 $1,000,000 1 $0 0 $1,700,000 2

Renewable Energy $772,616 29 $276,880 17 $87,292 9 $1,136,788 55

Business Grants $1,311,113 31 $311,827 7 $336,747 7 $1,959,687 45

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

VAPG $0 0 $23,655 1 $105,596 3 $129,251 4

SFH Direct $40,213,552 291 $6,786,965 53 $10,208,746 64 $57,209,263 408

SFH Guaranteed $339,961,435 2,320 $142,720,381 862 $125,027,888 703 $607,709,704 3,885

SFH Repairs $881,568 156 $255,268 56 $297,675 50 $1,434,511 262

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,058,832 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,058,832 3

MFH Direct $577,613 4 $0 0 $0 0 $577,613 4

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Farm Labor Housing $31,171 1 $0 0 $0 0 $31,171 1

Rental Assistance $33,039,648 215 $6,433,848 42 $8,995,164 56 $48,468,660 313

CF Direct $3,597,837 12 $18,116,928 4 $3,728,194 2 $25,442,959 18

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $2,448,922 1 $0 0 $2,448,922 1

CF Grants $979,460 31 $171,580 9 $151,500 9 $1,302,540 49

WWD Direct $19,043,587 16 $13,972,000 4 $0 0 $33,015,587 20

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

WWD Grants $10,182,654 21 $8,135,480 5 $377,500 4 $18,695,634 30

Telecom $19,626,952 8 $442,468 1 $50,268 1 $20,119,688 10

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

Other Programs $106,055,391 15 $2,478,811 3 $550,000 2 $109,084,202 20

NEVADA TOTAL $618,039,109 3,171 $211,610,173 1,070 $161,772,570 914 $991,421,852 5,155

Nevada Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Support for the Walker River Paiute Tribe, 

Other Foods Projects

Nevada’s Walker River Paiute Tribe (WRPT) faces major barriers 

to growth due to limited water supplies. Walker Lake is the Tribe’s 

water source, but irrigation at its source, the Walker River, has 

reduced the lake to about 20 percent of its original volume. USDA 

Rural Development is working closely with the Tribe to address 

the inadequacy of the water system to support the growth of 

the community and its development of new housing for tribal 

members. In 2014, the agency provided the Tribe a $17,500 grant 

to evaluate upgrades to its water treatment system.

The agency is also working with the Tribe on other sustainable 

economic and business development projects with help from 

other USDA partner agencies. Rural Development has assisted 

with several local foods projects for the Tribe, by co-sponsoring 

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) training on summer 

and after-school food programs for tribal youth, conducting a 

Native American Food Assessment with Cooperative Extension 

to identify food insecurity and tribal access to healthy foods, 

and supporting community efforts to develop a hoop houses at 

the Youth Center to expand the Tribe’s community gardening 

expertise. Tribal staff from both the WRPT and the Yerington Tribe 

participated in Rural Development panel sessions on regional 

foods at the Intertribal Council of Nevada’s statewide conference.

Rural Development staff also helped establish four summer 

feeding sites for at-risk children at several rural apartment 

complexes. USDA’s FNS summer feeding program provides meals 

for low-income children during the summer while they are out of 

school and do not have access to school meals. 
52 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Community Economic Development

A New Roof Over Their Heads, Fresh-Cut Grass 

Under Their Feet

Leon Boucher and his wife Priscille have lived in their Berlin, 

NH family home for 47 years. Over time, their home fell into 

disrepair. As senior citizens on a fixed income, they didn’t have 

the resources to make major repairs.

USDA Rural Development provided the Bouchers with a $7,500 

grant for a new roof. USDA home repair grants are available to 

very low-income elderly homeowners to remove health and 

safety hazards from their homes.

This was just the beginning of an outpouring of assistance that 

enabled these seniors to stay in their home. Rural Development 

connected the Bouchers with the Tri–County Community Action 

Program, several New Hampshire service agencies, Sherwin 

Williams, the Caron Building Center, Rockingham Electric, and 

Jim Lavirtue Carpentry to ensure the Bouchers had the support 

they needed. These partners helped to lower their energy costs 

and make their home safe by installing insulation in the home, 

updating the wiring, rebuilding the front and back porch, putting 

on a new coat of paint, and even planning a vegetable garden 

with them.

Today, thanks to help from USDA and community partners and 

volunteers, the Bouchers are safe and sound.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $24,797,420 11 $0 0 $4,050,000 1 $28,847,420 12

IRP $3,525,000 8 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $4,525,000 9

Renewable Energy $2,202,414 54 $732,810 17 $734,083 13 $3,669,307 84

Business Grants $1,675,377 32 $223,000 6 $175,000 7 $2,073,377 45

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

VAPG $620,649 6 $0 0 $127,732 1 $748,381 7

SFH Direct $75,887,915 515 $8,828,131 76 $10,063,150 80 $94,779,196 671

SFH Guaranteed $585,319,018 3,564 $180,892,106 1,067 $148,411,775 862 $914,622,899 5,493

SFH Repairs $2,618,652 401 $502,712 77 $621,396 88 $3,742,760 566

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

MFH Direct $14,963,045 26 $0 0 $637,000 2 $15,600,045 28

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

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

Rental Assistance $40,468,384 286 $8,124,720 62 $12,611,940 84 $61,205,044 432

CF Direct $14,939,000 8 $2,156,500 3 $0 0 $17,095,500 11

CF Guaranteed $3,707,800 7 $0 0 $1,500,000 1 $5,207,800 8

CF Grants $1,959,205 74 $174,500 10 $435,848 14 $2,569,553 98

WWD Direct $51,608,000 22 $13,275,000 5 $3,650,000 4 $68,533,000 31

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

WWD Grants $43,055,372 29 $3,370,610 7 $4,350,475 11 $50,776,457 47

Telecom $2,846,980 5 $0 0 $1,115,157 3 $3,962,137 8

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

Other Programs $400,000 8 $50,000 1 $50,000 2 $500,000 11

NEW HAMPSHIRE TOTAL $870,594,231 5,056 $218,330,089 1,331 $189,533,556 1,174 $1,278,457,876 7,561

New Hampshire Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

As a finishing touch to the renovation of their home, Mr. and Mrs. Boucher 

received an American Flag in honor of her uncle, a World War II veteran, to 

display at their home.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 53

NEW JERSEY

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Preserve Affordable Housing 

for New Jersey Working Families

Mullica West is the only affordable multi-family housing complex 

available for lower income families in Harrison Township, NJ. It 

was built with USDA loan assistance more than 35 years ago and 

needed improvements to bring it up to modern-day standards.

USDA Rural Development provided a $5 million guaranteed rural 

rental housing loan to renovate the apartments, make energyefficiency improvements, install a new security system, and build 

a community center and playground. This is the first property 

in New Jersey supported through a USDA guaranteed rental 

housing loan. Harrison Township and the New Jersey Housing and 

Mortgage Finance Agency contributed $22 million for the project.

Under the guaranteed rural rental housing loan program, USDA 

backs loans made by private-sector lenders to develop or 

improve multi-family housing in rural areas. The improvements 

at Mullica West will ensure that working families in Harrison 

Township have safe, attractive, and affordable housing for years 

to come.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $24,195,680 9 $0 0 $0 0 $24,195,680 9

IRP $948,000 2 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $1,948,000 3

Renewable Energy $6,083,149 59 $321,035 9 $126,900 4 $6,531,084 72

Business Grants $958,548 14 $131,000 2 $143,000 3 $1,232,548 19

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

VAPG $528,432 8 $48,250 1 $49,900 1 $626,582 10

SFH Direct $53,080,656 303 $8,221,155 52 $7,815,585 49 $69,117,396 404

SFH Guaranteed $674,855,472 3,754 $283,756,332 1,595 $224,098,203 1,270 $1,182,710,007 6,619

SFH Repairs $486,058 82 $195,564 29 $159,819 26 $841,441 137

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

MFH Direct $7,697,834 10 $5,040,252 4 $5,941,399 2 $18,679,485 16

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $4,999,999 1 $4,999,999 1

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $325,000 1 $0 0 $325,000 1

Rental Assistance $33,408,128 194 $7,225,344 37 $12,606,720 57 $53,240,192 288

CF Direct $21,727,900 27 $1,906,400 3 $2,965,700 2 $26,600,000 32

CF Guaranteed $3,490,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $3,490,000 2

CF Grants $1,590,846 32 $194,560 9 $194,800 6 $1,980,206 47

WWD Direct $67,301,500 41 $7,659,000 6 $8,550,000 5 $83,510,500 52

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

WWD Grants $29,306,097 34 $2,604,800 6 $4,480,800 13 $36,391,697 53

Telecom $318,464 2 $0 0 $0 0 $318,464 2

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

Other Programs $1,260,117 11 $101,453 2 $591,897 3 $1,953,466 16

NEW JERSEY TOTAL $927,236,881 4,584 $317,730,145 1,756 $273,724,721 1,443 $1,518,691,747 7,783

New Jersey Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez (third from right) 

with State and local partners who helped revitalize and expand the Mullica West 

apartment complex in Harrison Township, NJ.
54 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

NEW MEXICO

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

New Mexico’s First Native American Self-Help Project 

Breaks Ground

USDA Rural Development gave the Zuni Pueblo Housing 

Authority, in Zuni Pueblo, NM, a $279,000 Self-Help Housing 

Technical Assistance Grant to start and oversee the State’s firstever Native American self-help housing project.

The Housing Authority used the funds to launch the project 

and supervise the construction of 12 self-help homes that were 

built by very low-income Zuni Pueblo residents in the Bluebird 

housing subdivision. None of these Native American families 

have ever owned their own homes before, and many have been 

renters for 15 years or more.

Homeownership will help these families achieve greater financial 

prosperity in the future by building credit and increasing the 

equity in their homes.

Because of this project’s success, the Zuni Pueblo Housing 

Authority plans to build 138 more homes for very low-income 

families in the Bluebird subdivision, for a total of 150 properties, 

through the mutual self-help housing program.

USDA is targeting assistance to the county through its StrikeForce

Initiative to help economically distressed rural communities.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $37,221,996 16 $11,816,500 5 $14,950,325 4 $63,988,821 25

IRP $567,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $567,000 2

Renewable Energy $2,170,576 54 $347,753 24 $89,664 4 $2,607,993 82

Business Grants $2,621,226 28 $403,000 8 $308,343 7 $3,332,569 43

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

VAPG $429,000 7 $549,927 3 $50,000 1 $1,028,927 11

SFH Direct $33,952,202 292 $15,466,817 125 $16,180,794 123 $65,599,813 540

SFH Guaranteed $190,279,336 1,368 $61,751,014 433 $48,190,145 340 $300,220,495 2,141

SFH Repairs $1,265,535 178 $559,816 80 $672,174 95 $2,497,525 353

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,252,390 4 $486,695 1 $0 0 $1,739,085 5

MFH Direct $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

MFH Guaranteed $1,949,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,949,000 5

Farm Labor Housing $1,707,000 1 $0 0 $4,052,848 2 $5,759,848 3

Rental Assistance $50,158,136 332 $12,026,700 76 $16,508,269 101 $78,693,105 509

CF Direct $69,406,741 25 $2,435,000 2 $1,102,700 3 $72,944,441 30

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $2,466,166 36 $203,100 4 $632,643 8 $3,301,909 48

WWD Direct $58,557,042 43 $360,000 2 $5,496,000 5 $64,413,042 50

WWD Guaranteed $84,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $84,000 1

WWD Grants $87,085,486 138 $6,441,197 8 $19,673,907 8 $113,200,590 154

Telecom $190,467,647 30 $0 0 $987,116 4 $191,454,763 34

Electric $296,048,000 13 $61,922,000 3 $14,117,000 1 $372,087,000 17

Other Programs $60,749,860 23 $190,568 3 $1,432,850 4 $62,373,278 30

NEW MEXICO TOTAL $1,088,438,339 2,596 $174,960,087 777 $144,444,778 710 $1,407,843,204 4,083

New Mexico Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Reyanna Nastarcio is one of the 12 participants in the Zuni Pueblo Self-Help 

Housing project. Pictured are her grandchildren holding an American flag 

presented to the family during a summer 2014 ceremony celebrating completion 

of the homes.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 55

NEW YORK

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Single Father Buy a Home

For more than 60 years, USDA has helped rural residents become homeowners. USDA 

provides direct loans and guarantees loans made by private lenders for low- and 

moderate-income rural families to buy or build a home.

USDA Rural Development provided Russell Carpenter, a single father of six in Dexter, NY, 

with a loan to buy a lot and build his home. Previously, for 16 years, the family lived in a 

single-wide trailer.

Thanks to the affordable USDA loan, this family of seven has a new, 1,900-square-foot 

two-level home. USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez joined the 

Carpenter family in September 2014 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate their 

new home.

Expanding and preserving homeownership is a major part of the foundation for a 

stronger, more prosperous rural America. Today, Carpenter has a beautiful new house 

that the family can call home for years to come.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $222,738,447 105 $13,553,200 12 $24,851,000 9 $261,142,647 126

IRP $4,972,000 10 $750,000 1 $0 0 $5,722,000 11

Renewable Energy $6,582,797 253 $1,877,567 69 $376,635 33 $8,836,999 355

Business Grants $5,332,851 60 $1,100,613 14 $1,283,904 16 $7,717,368 90

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

VAPG $2,081,871 26 $255,231 6 $611,439 6 $2,948,541 38

SFH Direct $93,073,033 906 $15,628,087 147 $12,761,014 114 $121,462,134 1,167

SFH Guaranteed $768,381,278 6,926 $278,959,362 2,281 $256,749,769 2,172 $1,304,090,409 11,379

SFH Repairs $5,306,784 942 $938,830 173 $1,034,433 190 $7,280,047 1,305

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

MFH Direct $10,098,243 21 $4,818,109 6 $12,022,805 19 $26,939,157 46

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

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

Rental Assistance $77,131,999 726 $18,571,200 172 $23,083,200 207 $118,786,399 1,105

CF Direct $62,925,970 75 $11,297,500 11 $15,236,200 15 $89,459,670 101

CF Guaranteed $21,068,400 6 $0 0 $1,500,000 1 $22,568,400 7

CF Grants $4,929,810 82 $517,850 11 $888,284 18 $6,335,944 111

WWD Direct $165,745,000 136 $30,196,000 25 $46,855,000 31 $242,796,000 192

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

WWD Grants $107,899,611 141 $14,767,300 26 $33,628,000 39 $156,294,911 206

Telecom $60,666,232 30 $0 0 $4,129,680 12 $64,795,912 42

Electric $20,532,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $20,532,000 4

Other Programs $5,629,155 36 $484,412 5 $265,677 5 $6,379,244 46

NEW YORK TOTAL $1,645,095,481 10,485 $393,715,261 2,959 $435,277,040 2,887 $2,474,087,782 16,331

New York Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Russell Carpenter’s children on the front steps of 

their new, USDA-financed home.
56 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

NORTH CAROLINA

The Bioeconomy

USDA Supports Renewable Energy 

Ventures in North Carolina

Things are a little different at the Progress Solar farm: its sheep, 

ewes, and lambs graze peacefully each day alongside a solar panel 

array. This innovative farm enterprise in Bunn, N.C. combines 

sustainable agriculture with sustainable energy. Progress Solar 

is both a solar power plant and working farm where a 10th 

generation farming family raises free range sheep and lambs.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Progress Solar in 

September 2014 to highlight USDA investments in renewable 

energy projects through the Rural Energy for America 

(REAP) program. 

“REAP loan guarantees and grants have far-reaching impacts, 

particularly in the rural communities where these projects are 

located,” Vilsack said. “Investing in renewable energy provides 

new economic opportunities and leads the way to a more secure 

energy future.”

USDA Rural Development provided Progress Solar with a 

$3.4 million REAP loan guarantee for the solar array. Today, 

the 46-acre farm produces enough solar energy to power 540 

average-sized homes each year. 

O2 Energies, Inc. developed Progress Solar’s 4.5 MW solar array. 

To date, the company has developed seven solar farm operations 

in North Carolina. These farms collectively generate more than 

70 million Kw hours of renewable solar energy, enough to 

provide a year’s worth of power for 6,000 typical homes.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $229,115,012 113 $41,644,594 20 $47,639,417 19 $318,399,023 152

IRP $5,577,480 9 $0 0 $0 0 $5,577,480 9

Renewable Energy $26,442,056 361 $15,190,264 100 $55,863,948 61 $97,496,268 522

Business Grants $5,488,794 74 $797,000 12 $986,000 13 $7,271,794 99

REDLG $6,095,000 11 $8,208,000 12 $17,447,500 22 $31,750,500 45

VAPG $1,534,492 12 $514,500 4 $770,000 7 $2,818,992 23

SFH Direct $238,405,629 1,839 $32,478,890 244 $39,166,695 292 $310,051,214 2,375

SFH Guaranteed $3,761,908,323 27,650 $1,169,788,829 8,248 $879,866,812 6,383 $5,811,563,964 42,281

SFH Repairs $12,462,030 2,023 $2,661,449 421 $2,712,141 415 $17,835,620 2,859

SFH Self-Help Grants $3,720,884 14 $0 0 $183,665 1 $3,904,549 15

MFH Direct $59,317,659 49 $14,280,906 9 $6,237,495 10 $79,836,060 68

MFH Guaranteed $12,331,000 12 $3,655,000 2 $5,996,267 5 $21,982,267 19

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

Rental Assistance $216,036,914 1,612 $53,419,392 380 $73,239,120 501 $342,695,426 2,493

CF Direct $359,027,241 221 $92,439,560 34 $33,956,800 23 $485,423,601 278

CF Guaranteed $51,663,631 14 $15,320,000 4 $16,830,000 4 $83,813,631 22

CF Grants $16,555,862 208 $390,200 12 $1,036,274 21 $17,982,336 241

WWD Direct $274,174,492 113 $9,010,700 9 $28,742,812 15 $311,928,004 137

WWD Guaranteed $6,483,000 2 $12,580,000 2 $1,760,000 2 $20,823,000 6

WWD Grants $110,399,838 79 $3,603,675 10 $21,327,319 19 $135,330,832 108

Telecom $152,084,304 26 $0 0 $1,471,078 4 $153,555,382 30

Electric $800,438,000 29 $161,696,000 5 $181,000,000 9 $1,143,134,000 43

Other Programs $107,558,142 48 $1,686,885 9 $1,815,081 11 $111,060,109 68

NORTH CAROLINA TOTAL $6,456,819,783 34,519 $1,639,365,844 9,537 $1,418,048,424 7,837 $9,514,234,052 51,893

North Carolina Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Secretary Vilsack (left) and NC Rural Development State Director Randall Gore 

(right) listen intently as the owner of O2 Energies discusses the company’s solar 

farm ventures.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 57

NORTH DAKOTA

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

A New, Safe Place To Learn for Native American Children

According to the Grand Forks Herald newspaper, “in the Dakota 

language, there is no word for ‘child’ or ‘children.’ Instead, there 

is ‘wakanyeja,’ which means ‘sacred little ones’.” The importance 

of the future generation was evident during a September 2014 

groundbreaking for a Head Start facility at the Spirit Lake Tribe 

Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

USDA Rural Development provided a $4.4 million Community 

Facilities loan for the Head Start center.

The Tribe has 11 Head Start classrooms scattered across the 

405-square-mile reservation. The classes are held in trailers that 

are 30 years old or more. All the trailers need major repairs. One 

was condemned due to air-quality issues. 

The new building will consolidate all of the Spirit Lake Tribe’s 

Head Start classes under one roof and will accommodate up to 

175 children. This USDA investment will help protect the Tribe’s 

“sacred little ones” for generations to come.

USDA Rural Development is targeting assistance to the Fort Totten, 

ND, area through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity

Initiative to combat persistent poverty in rural communities.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $82,385,944 46 $22,897,600 6 $8,131,921 2 $113,415,465 54

IRP $1,810,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,810,000 5

Renewable Energy $3,146,154 69 $237,047 9 $147,000 7 $3,530,201 85

Business Grants $2,596,709 36 $515,129 8 $873,637 12 $3,985,475 56

REDLG $7,186,850 15 $4,632,318 7 $8,075,000 7 $19,894,168 29

VAPG $148,500 3 $0 0 $62,325 1 $210,825 4

SFH Direct $28,086,867 254 $5,531,053 35 $3,677,142 23 $37,295,062 312

SFH Guaranteed $183,497,262 1,571 $64,250,622 434 $57,079,879 414 $304,827,763 2,419

SFH Repairs $1,772,047 281 $135,219 25 $137,141 18 $2,044,407 324

SFH Self-Help Grants $10,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $10,000 1

MFH Direct $4,475,509 18 $488,345 2 $0 0 $4,963,854 20

MFH Guaranteed $5,832,920 4 $1,606,500 1 $19,338,519 3 $26,777,939 8

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

Rental Assistance $16,616,964 273 $3,523,968 67 $4,808,064 74 $24,948,996 414

CF Direct $56,992,007 33 $30,471,200 8 $44,787,450 9 $132,250,657 50

CF Guaranteed $44,509,898 15 $1,875,000 2 $150,000 1 $46,534,898 18

CF Grants $4,069,937 46 $602,681 6 $926,510 11 $5,599,128 63

WWD Direct $57,267,049 45 $13,267,500 10 $8,198,200 10 $78,732,749 65

WWD Guaranteed $1,250,000 1 $0 0 $500,000 1 $1,750,000 2

WWD Grants $32,421,557 39 $9,402,800 9 $8,251,350 9 $50,075,707 57

Telecom $344,999,364 32 $22,283,000 3 $9,370,704 4 $376,653,068 39

Electric $2,007,890,000 30 $324,036,000 9 $115,514,000 3 $2,447,440,000 42

Other Programs $3,642,289 18 $550,000 4 $1,055,000 5 $5,247,289 27

NORTH DAKOTA TOTAL $2,890,607,827 2,835 $506,305,982 645 $291,083,842 614 $3,687,997,651 4,094

North Dakota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Children help break ground for a facility that will improve Head Start earlychildhood education opportunities for the Spirit Lake Tribe.
58 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

OHIO

The Bioeconomy

Revived Biorefinery Breathes New Life into Rural Ohio Community

Erik Chaffer considers himself an optimist. Still, he felt pretty low as he watched 

the recession knock the legs out from under the rural Ohio ethanol plant he helped 

manage. With 15 years of experience under his belt, Chaffer knew the plant couldn’t 

keep battling the difficult price margins the industry faced. One by one, the pink slips 

went out.

“Mothballing this plant affected me a lot. These were my friends, and they had families. 

It was hard to see them hurting,” Chaffer said. “There were times when my faith 

waivered, but me and the other guys — we were down to six — tried to keep the plant 

in decent condition while we waited for economic conditions to improve.”

The wait would last more than 5 years. But now with help from a $9 million Rural 

Energy for America Program (REAP) loan guarantee from USDA Rural Development for 

renovations and working capital, the newly christened Three Rivers Energy Biorefinery 

is producing ethanol again at full capacity. What’s more, the owners say the use of new 

technology, including corn oil extraction and “Cellunator”TM technology, will provide 

additional revenue streams and improve efficiencies at the plant.

The company now employs nearly 40 rural Ohioans, including a handful of former 

employees. Three Rivers also purchases locally harvested corn and produces usable 

byproducts like distillers’ grain and other marketable bio-based goods.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $219,871,307 83 $15,900,000 3 $31,891,328 12 $267,662,635 98

IRP $1,984,000 4 $725,000 2 $0 0 $2,709,000 6

Renewable Energy $38,048,895 266 $13,524,137 69 $1,113,880 36 $52,686,912 371

Business Grants $5,193,202 45 $767,000 8 $901,000 9 $6,861,202 62

REDLG $0 0 $300,000 1 $1,572,926 1 $1,872,926 2

VAPG $889,288 9 $65,000 1 $19,250 1 $973,538 11

SFH Direct $161,966,124 1,487 $27,248,402 253 $17,586,025 165 $206,800,551 1,905

SFH Guaranteed $1,731,279,474 16,795 $556,433,651 5,124 $481,549,028 4,503 $2,769,262,153 26,422

SFH Repairs $6,335,760 1,323 $931,094 178 $970,949 180 $8,237,803 1,681

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,361,030 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,361,030 3

MFH Direct $25,665,103 39 $3,438,529 12 $8,479,131 13 $37,582,763 64

MFH Guaranteed $15,379,295 16 $1,000,000 1 $4,577,000 5 $20,956,295 22

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

Rental Assistance $88,316,616 1,119 $17,193,300 211 $25,834,668 315 $131,344,584 1,645

CF Direct $51,002,125 65 $21,828,000 8 $10,699,000 9 $83,529,125 82

CF Guaranteed $16,900,500 8 $0 0 $0 0 $16,900,500 8

CF Grants $3,425,605 74 $325,840 6 $664,492 10 $4,415,937 90

WWD Direct $124,816,000 58 $16,512,000 7 $15,956,000 7 $157,284,000 72

WWD Guaranteed $11,000,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $11,000,000 2

WWD Grants $87,964,446 60 $9,382,800 6 $11,191,464 11 $108,538,710 77

Telecom $45,394,228 31 $0 0 $621,743 2 $46,015,971 33

Electric $257,667,000 17 $76,202,000 3 $27,096,000 4 $360,965,000 24

Other Programs $6,751,494 41 $723,107 6 $659,450 6 $8,134,051 53

OHIO TOTAL $2,901,211,492 21,545 $762,499,860 5,899 $641,383,334 5,289 $4,305,094,686 32,733

Ohio Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Chaffer, all smiles, awaits the ribbon cutting for 

Three Rivers Energy’s biorefinery in Coshocton, OH.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 59

OKLAHOMA

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Bring High-Speed Broadband to Rural 

Oklahoma Customers

Oklahoma communications companies are deploying high-speed 

networks to keep pace with growing reliance on data and media 

streaming. In 2014, USDA Rural Development partnered with 

three rural service providers to blanket nearly three-quarters 

of the State with broadband connectivity. Some of the new 

networks will provide Internet service at speeds that rival the 

United States’ fastest networks.

USDA Rural Development gave Medicine Park Telephone a $4.2 

million Community Connect grant for voice and video service 

networks in southwest Oklahoma, some at speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Bolt Fiber Optic Services, a subsidiary of the Northeast Oklahoma 

Electric Co-op, was awarded a $90 million broadband loan 

to build a fiber-to-the-home network in the Grand Lake area. 

Grand Lake is a popular tourist destination, and the network is a 

welcome boost to the local economy.

Rural Development provided @AtLink Services, Inc., a wireless 

Internet service provider based in Oklahoma City, with $8.5 million 

in broadband loan and grant funds for a new high-speed network 

that will serve more than 5,400 customers, including many who 

are Native Americans. The project is bringing broadband service 

to more than 3,000 rural customers in southeast Oklahoma who 

currently do not have any broadband access.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $230,877,833 65 $29,042,946 11 $36,733,435 9 $296,654,214 85

IRP $1,838,000 4 $500,000 1 $308,749 1 $2,646,749 6

Renewable Energy $9,353,909 65 $5,950,664 9 $840,033 8 $16,144,606 82

Business Grants $4,773,236 40 $1,147,194 10 $851,588 5 $6,772,018 55

REDLG $2,141,370 7 $0 0 $0 0 $2,141,370 7

VAPG $474,055 4 $300,000 1 $276,097 2 $1,050,152 7

SFH Direct $91,886,900 967 $16,277,976 166 $10,135,081 109 $118,299,957 1,242

SFH Guaranteed $1,196,552,539 11,154 $329,191,739 2,864 $281,797,799 2,483 $1,807,542,077 16,501

SFH Repairs $3,194,413 529 $599,704 90 $610,411 98 $4,404,528 717

SFH Self-Help Grants $6,068,168 14 $1,687,938 4 $1,243,610 1 $8,999,716 19

MFH Direct $6,869,453 7 $0 0 $0 0 $6,869,453 7

MFH Guaranteed $5,124,020 6 $0 0 $2,098,500 5 $7,222,520 11

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

Rental Assistance $68,908,401 811 $14,894,880 159 $19,297,824 219 $103,101,105 1,189

CF Direct $21,015,479 11 $132,300 1 $252,000 1 $21,399,779 13

CF Guaranteed $10,544,290 8 $0 0 $900,000 1 $11,444,290 9

CF Grants $6,122,104 103 $846,935 19 $1,159,294 24 $8,128,333 146

WWD Direct $110,856,955 66 $18,310,475 14 $14,923,000 9 $144,090,430 89

WWD Guaranteed $391,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $391,000 1

WWD Grants $92,848,890 57 $17,359,118 12 $20,367,950 17 $130,575,958 86

Telecom $204,101,888 56 $95,009,000 7 $9,472,086 11 $308,582,974 74

Electric $653,632,147 24 $164,935,000 6 $101,781,000 5 $920,348,147 35

Other Programs $81,479,633 37 $15,402,304 4 $19,152,991 3 $116,034,929 44

OKLAHOMA TOTAL $2,809,054,683 14,036 $711,588,173 3,378 $522,201,448 3,011 $4,042,844,305 20,425

Oklahoma Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Kiowa Nation Tribal Elder Jim Anquoe and Oklahoma Rural Development State 

Director Ryan McMullen celebrate completion of an @AtLink service tower that 

will bring broadband to tribal customers.
60 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

OREGON

Community Economic Development

New School Complex Celebrates Native Traditions, 

Nurtures Young Learners

Warm Springs Academy, a state-of-the-art K-8 school, opened its 

doors in September 2014 on the Confederated Tribes of Warm 

Springs Reservation in Oregon.

USDA Rural Development provided a $6.85 million Community 

Facilities loan to help build the academy. The complex replaced a 

cramped, neglected school facility dating back to the 1930s.

The academy features modern science and computer labs, art and 

music rooms, a gym, a spacious cafeteria and kitchen, and many 

cultural features that celebrate the Tribe’s heritage and traditions. 

It will help develop the next generation of Native American 

educators, innovators, scientists, nurses, business people and 

tribal leaders who will one day give back to their community.

USDA partnered with tribal leaders and Jefferson County officials 

to develop and finance the school. The project demonstrates 

how intergovernmental collaboration can generate long-term 

prosperity and vitality in Indian Country and across rural America.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $151,388,025 82 $26,663,283 12 $44,344,724 17 $222,396,032 111

IRP $2,127,000 6 $0 0 $0 0 $2,127,000 6

Renewable Energy $20,963,334 217 $866,529 56 $640,750 51 $22,470,613 324

Business Grants $5,066,594 139 $412,604 18 $465,384 16 $5,944,582 173

REDLG $1,884,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $1,884,000 5

VAPG $3,199,268 34 $401,415 4 $0 0 $3,600,683 38

SFH Direct $99,944,071 653 $6,469,462 47 $10,313,571 67 $116,727,104 767

SFH Guaranteed $1,539,147,098 9,813 $503,073,133 3,062 $419,175,027 2,473 $2,461,395,258 15,348

SFH Repairs $1,894,578 316 $256,845 46 $213,728 42 $2,365,151 404

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,971,167 6 $1,071,550 3 $0 0 $3,042,717 9

MFH Direct $5,627,504 11 $0 0 $892,690 1 $6,520,194 12

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $7,850,000 3 $7,850,000 3

Farm Labor Housing $9,627,438 10 $6,000,000 4 $3,000,000 2 $18,627,438 16

Rental Assistance $63,198,904 602 $14,930,256 138 $19,393,344 166 $97,522,504 906

CF Direct $17,349,184 8 $9,432,269 2 $0 0 $26,781,453 10

CF Guaranteed $12,389,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $12,389,000 2

CF Grants $801,890 20 $82,500 1 $229,708 7 $1,114,098 28

WWD Direct $73,437,442 21 $4,374,825 5 $17,783,600 5 $95,595,867 31

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

WWD Grants $37,496,476 24 $5,205,313 4 $9,287,696 10 $51,989,485 38

Telecom $67,308,403 31 $7,330,000 1 $630,559 2 $75,268,962 34

Electric $54,734,000 5 $0 0 $0 0 $54,734,000 5

Other Programs $233,662,469 17 $212,868 3 $570,356 5 $234,445,694 25

OREGON TOTAL $2,403,217,845 12,022 $586,782,852 3,406 $534,791,137 2,867 $3,524,791,835 18,295

Oregon Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Students perform a traditional dance at the dedication ceremony of the Warm 

Springs Academy.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 61

PENNSYLVANIA

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Pennsylvania University Build Modern, 

Energy-Efficient Dormitory

West Chester University, in West Chester, PA, a public university 

with more than 15,000 students, had a housing shortage. 

Demand for housing routinely exceeded the number of available 

beds. Additionally, some of its residence halls were old, 

outdated, and out of compliance with current building codes. 

USDA Rural Development provided a $28 million Community 

Facilities loan to help build a 180,000-square-foot dormitory with 

653 beds. The project was also supported through public funds 

and contributions from the University.

The eight-story residence hall opened in 2014. It replaced a 

building constructed in the 1960s that was demolished to make 

way for the new complex.

The new, modern dormitory includes Internet and cable access 

in each room, generous study and recreation space, wellappointed laundry and kitchen facilities, and a sprinkler system 

for fire safety. 

The building also includes a central, energy-efficient geothermal 

heating and cooling system. The system will benefit students and 

University administrators: it heats and cools the new dormitory 

and other academic buildings on campus. The system is expected 

to reduce energy costs by more than 50 percent.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $185,719,844 51 $30,569,000 8 $23,014,000 5 $239,302,844 64

IRP $4,524,000 9 $300,000 1 $1,500,000 2 $6,324,000 12

Renewable Energy $27,975,281 136 $10,622,880 44 $3,007,336 27 $41,605,497 207

Business Grants $4,399,522 52 $683,640 9 $781,000 13 $5,864,162 74

REDLG $109,812 1 $0 0 $0 0 $109,812 1

VAPG $802,084 16 $415,780 2 $164,090 4 $1,381,954 22

SFH Direct $144,655,764 1,022 $19,893,864 142 $17,232,421 122 $181,782,049 1,286

SFH Guaranteed $2,062,516,386 15,886 $771,474,569 5,628 $686,268,755 5,150 $3,520,259,710 26,664

SFH Repairs $7,904,383 1,593 $1,380,826 259 $1,019,889 173 $10,305,098 2,025

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,822,570 5 $0 0 $269,999 1 $2,092,569 6

MFH Direct $12,744,159 22 $0 0 $946,532 1 $13,690,691 23

MFH Guaranteed $6,367,800 4 $0 0 $0 0 $6,367,800 4

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

Rental Assistance $90,188,892 766 $20,555,040 176 $25,267,440 215 $136,011,372 1,157

CF Direct $149,733,920 102 $108,261,030 32 $47,246,300 16 $305,241,250 150

CF Guaranteed $48,564,472 10 $0 0 $56,020,000 2 $104,584,472 12

CF Grants $5,089,985 103 $533,495 19 $589,400 18 $6,212,880 140

WWD Direct $299,572,050 84 $28,046,600 11 $28,934,200 9 $356,552,850 104

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

WWD Grants $73,514,370 42 $9,738,400 6 $22,711,100 9 $105,963,870 57

Telecom $3,467,567 14 $0 0 $914,971 4 $4,382,538 18

Electric $117,842,000 6 $34,300,000 3 $0 0 $152,142,000 9

Other Programs $8,681,284 54 $474,835 6 $1,661,850 9 $10,817,969 69

PENNSYLVANIA TOTAL $3,256,196,145 19,978 $1,037,249,959 6,346 $917,549,283 5,780 $5,210,995,387 32,104

Pennsylvania Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

West Chester University’s new student dormitory, which was built thanks to loan 

financing from USDA Rural Development.
62 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

PUERTO RICO

Community Economic Development

USDA Rural Development Helps Three Communities 

in Utuado Start an Electronic Library

Jácanas, Cerro Gordo, and Cuchillas are isolated, very small rural 

communities in the municipality of Utuado, in Puerto Rico’s 

central-western mountains. Combined, the three communities 

have a population of only about 4,200. They did not have a local 

library, which limited after-school learning activities for students 

and continuing education opportunities for adults.

Community leaders decided to set up an “electronic,” computer 

library for local residents. USDA Rural Development provided 

them with a $25,000 Community Facilities Economic Impact 

Initiative Grant for equipment. The USDA funds were used to buy 

10 computers, computer workstations, a printer, projector, table, 

and an air-conditioner.

Community leaders used an existing building for the library 

and contributed about $8,400 to convert the space and make 

other improvements.

Today, thanks to the grant from USDA Rural Development, the 

communities of Jácanas, Cerro Gordo, and Cuchillas have a 

new, modern electronic library. The facility — and access to 

information on the Web — has brought a wealth of education 

offerings and opportunities to students and other local residents.

Three very small rural communities in Puerto Rico used a grant from USDA to 

buy computer equipment and start an electronic library for local residents.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $27,563,884 14 $2,281,500 3 $12,313,000 3 $42,158,384 20

IRP $317,000 2 $750,000 1 $0 0 $1,067,000 3

Renewable Energy $851,861 17 $310,006 6 $163,000 5 $1,324,867 28

Business Grants $2,192,327 17 $152,000 2 $168,000 6 $2,512,327 25

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

VAPG $1,500,000 7 $300,000 1 $256,390 2 $2,056,390 10

SFH Direct $71,157,365 737 $11,208,012 114 $11,480,500 117 $93,845,877 968

SFH Guaranteed $1,292,323,089 11,035 $357,573,014 3,067 $324,116,317 2,831 $1,974,012,420 16,933

SFH Repairs $2,131,998 389 $424,645 84 $439,132 75 $2,995,775 548

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 $70,599,024 248 $15,519,504 55 $19,343,688 66 $105,462,216 369

CF Direct $20,687,840 30 $18,420,860 7 $15,405,750 17 $54,514,450 54

CF Guaranteed $1,144,480 1 $0 0 $2,000,000 1 $3,144,480 2

CF Grants $2,538,120 38 $200,150 9 $397,872 12 $3,136,142 59

WWD Direct $63,078,325 22 $8,901,000 4 $11,714,000 5 $83,693,325 31

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

WWD Grants $25,326,127 19 $2,824,000 5 $5,478,471 13 $33,628,598 37

Telecom $210,590 1 $0 0 $1,486,106 3 $1,696,696 4

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

Other Programs $2,185,815 30 $262,782 6 $153,351 8 $2,601,949 44

PUERTO RICO TOTAL $1,586,540,824 12,610 $419,127,473 3,364 $404,915,577 3,164 $2,410,583,875 19,138

Puerto Rico Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 63

RHODE ISLAND

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps School Expand

In 2009, USDA Rural Development gave the Quest Montessori 

School a $2.4 million Community Facilities loan to build a 

facility in Narragansett, RI, near Narragansett Bay. The applicant 

contributed $231,300 to buy land and support construction of 

the school.

Classes began at the new, 12,500-square-foot school in 2013.

The new school — which teaches children ranging from toddlers 

to eighth graders — has been so successful that it has already 

outgrown the space. Today, Quest Montessori serves 111 

students; almost triple the amount of enrollees anticipated at 

the time plans for the school were underway.

USDA Rural Development provided a second, $900,000 

Community Facilities loan in 2014 to help Quest Montessori 

expand again.

The school is using the funds to build an addition that will be 

dedicated to early education services for the school’s youngest 

students. The expansion will allow Quest to meet demand and 

enroll more students.

USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program 

provides loan and grants to develop essential community 

facilities in rural areas, such as schools, health care clinics, child 

care centers, police or fire stations, and more.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total 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 $331,643 15 $148,742 8 $388,050 7 $868,435 30

Business Grants $342,010 6 $64,000 1 $68,000 2 $474,010 9

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

VAPG $50,000 1 $150,000 1 $0 0 $200,000 2

SFH Direct $16,398,934 80 $3,944,897 18 $2,030,000 9 $22,373,831 107

SFH Guaranteed $101,148,130 501 $46,091,291 239 $31,724,404 153 $178,963,825 893

SFH Repairs $462,777 80 $64,509 10 $49,600 10 $576,886 100

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 $6,731,112 40 $1,537,536 9 $2,537,472 14 $10,806,120 63

CF Direct $16,040,090 9 $454,000 1 $900,000 1 $17,394,090 11

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $384,000 1 $0 0 $384,000 1

CF Grants $222,328 12 $112,350 4 $113,900 4 $448,578 20

WWD Direct $5,072,000 14 $1,928,000 3 $8,135,000 9 $15,135,000 26

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

WWD Grants $5,348,785 17 $1,602,000 4 $6,584,165 10 $13,534,950 31

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

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

Other Programs $150,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $150,000 3

RHODE ISLAND TOTAL $155,523,059 781 $56,481,325 299 $52,530,591 219 $264,534,975 1,299

Rhode Island Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Rural Development’s Community Facilities program helped the Quest 

Montessori School build more classrooms.
64 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

SOUTH CAROLINA

Local and Regional Food Systems

Grant Helps South Carolina Peach Farmer Explore 

Value-Added Options

USDA Rural Development in South Carolina provided Titan Peach 

Farms, Inc., with a $75,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to 

determine the feasibility of producing new products from the 

farm’s peaches.

Titan Farms, a family farm located in Ridge Spring, SC, is the 

largest peach grower on the east coast. It has more than 5,000 

acres of peach trees.

Titan Farms’ owners hope to build a processing plant and sell 

fruit ingredients at home and abroad to food processors, food 

service institutions and retail outlets. Even the peach waste 

could be converted into value-added fruit products.

Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant Program 

helps agricultural producers increase their on-farm income by 

adding value to their products. Producers can use the grants to 

create or study the feasibility of new product lines, like Titan 

Farms is doing, or they may use the funds to find new markets 

for their commodities.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $186,951,483 71 $14,500,000 3 $34,292,000 8 $235,743,483 82

IRP $5,363,782 10 $1,150,000 2 $0 0 $6,513,782 12

Renewable Energy $3,525,154 74 $595,679 10 $130,297 9 $4,251,130 93

Business Grants $5,046,308 61 $518,000 11 $687,500 14 $6,251,808 86

REDLG $10,127,360 16 $2,738,200 3 $3,000,000 3 $15,865,560 22

VAPG $540,759 5 $782,753 4 $539,230 4 $1,862,742 13

SFH Direct $143,279,643 1,166 $21,530,272 176 $27,811,824 221 $192,621,739 1,563

SFH Guaranteed $1,629,484,740 12,584 $610,679,370 4,509 $542,556,682 4,022 $2,782,720,792 21,115

SFH Repairs $5,725,561 830 $1,422,936 192 $1,887,783 248 $9,036,280 1,270

SFH Self-Help Grants $275,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $275,000 1

MFH Direct $21,555,043 25 $977,300 1 $5,093,029 7 $27,625,372 33

MFH Guaranteed $5,934,251 6 $460,000 1 $12,240,000 15 $18,634,251 22

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

Rental Assistance $99,606,264 852 $22,272,624 174 $29,322,216 228 $151,201,104 1,254

CF Direct $133,564,220 51 $78,397,290 19 $44,873,800 27 $256,835,310 97

CF Guaranteed $3,100,000 2 $9,986,300 6 $15,000,000 2 $28,086,300 10

CF Grants $13,029,577 82 $605,500 18 $2,099,400 48 $15,734,477 148

WWD Direct $210,953,792 82 $45,641,500 12 $55,498,000 16 $312,093,292 110

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $1,323,600 1 $0 0 $1,323,600 1

WWD Grants $104,297,600 57 $14,131,233 9 $32,155,117 12 $150,583,950 78

Telecom $136,244,536 14 $44,104,565 2 $25,080,873 5 $205,429,974 21

Electric $692,840,000 14 $36,779,000 3 $93,926,000 2 $823,545,000 19

Other Programs $4,577,879 43 $382,617 5 $833,793 5 $5,794,289 53

SOUTH CAROLINA TOTAL $3,416,022,952 16,046 $908,978,739 5,161 $927,027,544 4,896 $5,252,029,235 26,103

South Carolina Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Titan Peach Farms received a $75,000 Value Added Producer Grant to determine 

the feasibility of producing several value-added products from its peaches.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 65

SOUTH DAKOTA

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

New Water Treatment Plant for Eagle Butte, SD, 

and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

The Mni Waste’ Water Company will soon have a new water 

treatment plant connected to an abundant water supply — 

the Missouri River — thanks to $65.8 million from USDA Rural 

Development and other support from the Indian Health Service 

and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

The new system will help meet water needs in the Eagle Butte, 

SD, region. The existing water system is failing. Water shortages 

are hampering the development of new homes and businesses 

and delaying fire response.

The groundbreaking was in April 2014. In addition to the new 

treatment plant, this project includes the construction of about 

36 miles of water line and other system improvements.

The new plant will produce 4.4 million gallons of clean, safe 

water per day; about three times as much as the current 

plant. The system will also help ensure that critically needed 

development can continue in the region.

In the Lakota language, “mni waste’’ means “good water.” About 

8,500 people living in this rural region, including members of the 

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, will benefit from the project.

Rural Development is targeting assistance to the area through 

USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative to 

combat persistent poverty in rural communities.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $53,340,610 31 $24,340,178 7 $3,335,484 6 $81,016,272 44

IRP $8,664,000 14 $750,000 1 $750,000 1 $10,164,000 16

Renewable Energy $7,263,681 161 $1,120,477 39 $172,239 13 $8,556,397 213

Business Grants $4,046,554 47 $700,879 9 $506,070 7 $5,253,503 63

REDLG $6,440,000 14 $1,401,000 5 $2,050,000 7 $9,891,000 26

VAPG $474,453 4 $300,000 1 $274,362 3 $1,048,815 8

SFH Direct $54,973,561 522 $7,050,268 66 $8,250,117 71 $70,273,946 659

SFH Guaranteed $571,224,869 4,921 $195,359,066 1,527 $188,302,524 1,465 $954,886,459 7,913

SFH Repairs $1,448,250 290 $267,427 50 $311,394 59 $2,027,071 399

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,791,110 7 $0 0 $0 0 $1,791,110 7

MFH Direct $6,391,304 18 $0 0 $0 0 $6,391,304 18

MFH Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $1,225,900 1 $1,225,900 1

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

Rental Assistance $53,373,244 615 $13,220,568 161 $13,611,775 150 $80,205,587 926

CF Direct $96,045,966 71 $6,265,000 10 $6,036,500 7 $108,347,466 88

CF Guaranteed $22,423,000 8 $0 0 $0 0 $22,423,000 8

CF Grants $6,141,485 74 $574,347 14 $928,285 19 $7,644,117 107

WWD Direct $88,868,000 90 $10,044,000 11 $11,661,000 10 $110,573,000 111

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

WWD Grants $88,976,293 67 $7,738,000 12 $5,446,277 10 $102,160,570 89

Telecom $108,241,386 22 $24,909,000 1 $379,262 2 $133,529,648 25

Electric $391,245,000 29 $104,451,000 9 $219,458,000 10 $715,154,000 48

Other Programs $5,206,360 30 $525,360 5 $1,121,988 5 $6,853,708 40

SOUTH DAKOTA TOTAL $1,576,579,126 7,035 $399,016,570 1,928 $463,821,177 1,846 $2,439,416,873 10,809

South Dakota Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and Indian Health Service and USDA 

officials, at the water system groundbreaking ceremony.
66 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

TENNESSEE

Community Economic Development 

• StrikeForce Initiative

Tennessee Schools Get Funding 

for Technology Improvements

Education is an essential part of economic 

development. That’s why USDA Rural 

Development and the State of Tennessee 

awarded eight schools in rural East 

Tennessee a total of $250,000 for 

computer equipment.

Schools in Campbell, Claiborne, 

Grainger, Hancock, Johnson, Scott, and 

Union counties are using the money 

to increase the capabilities of the 

schools’ computer labs year-round. 

Teachers and their students will use 

the computers and related software to 

complete required testing and to expand 

educational opportunities.

More than 4,500 students are expected 

to benefit.

USDA’s $118,000 investment is another 

example of the agency’s work to help 

rural communities. The part of east 

Tennessee where the schools are located 

is targeted for special aid through a 

USDA initiative to direct resources to 

the neediest areas. The StrikeForce for 

Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative 

is underway in 19 other States. USDA’s 

StrikeForce Initiative helps grow rural 

economies, increases investments, 

and creates opportunities by providing 

additional hands-on and technical 

assistance from local USDA field staff.

Nearly 85 percent of America’s persistent 

poverty counties are in rural areas.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $203,271,758 57 $26,681,000 8 $14,947,000 4 $244,899,758 69

IRP $1,150,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,150,000 2

Renewable Energy $7,102,865 148 $1,304,601 48 $406,650 38 $8,814,116 234

Business Grants $5,161,842 174 $769,344 38 $904,440 35 $6,835,626 247

REDLG $13,665,392 27 $3,521,000 5 $10,610,360 8 $27,796,752 40

VAPG $269,876 4 $300,000 1 $496,987 4 $1,066,863 9

SFH Direct $154,738,759 1,482 $23,205,166 216 $19,502,569 173 $197,446,494 1,871

SFH Guaranteed $2,080,326,586 18,012 $846,124,007 6,913 $817,727,165 6,700 $3,744,177,758 31,625

SFH Repairs $7,792,426 1,662 $1,508,780 292 $1,730,137 342 $11,031,343 2,296

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,006,400 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,006,400 2

MFH Direct $7,740,716 12 $1,358,853 1 $1,246,284 1 $10,345,853 14

MFH Guaranteed $18,625,802 12 $1,763,000 2 $8,875,000 4 $29,263,802 18

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

Rental Assistance $90,827,400 902 $19,738,200 187 $25,828,500 232 $136,394,100 1,321

CF Direct $170,272,258 108 $45,640,400 22 $36,387,100 24 $252,299,758 154

CF Guaranteed $1,450,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,450,000 2

CF Grants $7,584,558 210 $521,060 20 $636,400 27 $8,742,018 257

WWD Direct $147,775,000 126 $36,509,400 25 $14,508,000 16 $198,792,400 167

WWD Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $2,488,840 1 $2,488,840 1

WWD Grants $61,148,166 124 $10,345,600 27 $9,923,600 24 $81,417,366 175

Telecom $203,715,345 32 $0 0 $32,241,891 6 $235,957,236 38

Electric $201,724,000 12 $20,000,000 1 $10,000,000 1 $231,724,000 14

Other Programs $15,071,950 59 $2,666,330 8 $1,686,540 7 $19,424,820 74

TENNESSEE TOTAL $3,400,421,098 23,169 $1,041,956,741 7,814 $1,010,147,463 7,647 $5,452,525,303 38,630

Tennessee Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Grade-schoolers at Winfield Elementary in Scott 

County, TN, participate in a class discussion at their 

computer lab. The lab was improved thanks to help 

from USDA for equipment and software.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 67

TEXAS

Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA Helps Specialty Pepper Grower Spice Up Sales

For more than 20 years, Gale Carr and his family have been 

producing chile, chipotle, and other specialty peppers on their 

farm in Fort Hancock, TX.

USDA Rural Development provided Carr with a $98,650 ValueAdded Producer Grant to process, package, label, and market 

rare, but popular, chile pepper cultivars. Carr produces them in a 

state-of-the-art greenhouse because they are difficult to grow in 

Texas through traditional row crop agriculture.

About 10 years ago, Carr’s company, GSC Chipotle Texas, Ltd., 

developed a proprietary process to draw out the rich, earthy, 

smokiness of chipotle. Carr also incorporated value-added 

processing into the operation. Today, GSC Chipotle Texas 

offers several lines of original blends and seasonings as well as 

specialty dried and smoked peppers.

According to Carr, the demand for rare cultivars is high. “Since 

we entered into value-added processing, we have seen a spike 

in the popularity of cultivars like Scorpions, Ghost, Aji, Datil and 

Fatali,” he says. “Greenhouse production allows us to tap into 

that market and arrange growing schedules that capitalize on 

optimal growth and peak harvest times.”

The company sells products through its Website, which includes 

educational videos, product demos, and a personal blog to 

help customers choose the right products, try new recipes, and 

experiment with the many varieties available for sale.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $284,720,347 70 $29,488,731 6 $51,088,500 8 $365,297,578 84

IRP $4,255,000 8 $0 0 $400,000 1 $4,655,000 9

Renewable Energy $23,618,680 180 $8,565,835 58 $6,540,251 40 $38,724,766 278

Business Grants $7,025,310 46 $797,000 7 $911,000 7 $8,733,310 60

REDLG $1,040,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $1,040,000 2

VAPG $1,190,980 9 $395,000 2 $361,143 3 $1,947,123 14

SFH Direct $224,892,442 2,305 $50,414,444 494 $44,246,857 409 $319,553,743 3,208

SFH Guaranteed $3,423,716,574 27,061 $1,134,560,648 8,164 $926,894,693 6,477 $5,485,171,915 41,702

SFH Repairs $12,860,621 2,029 $2,589,837 408 $2,503,988 398 $17,954,446 2,835

SFH Self-Help Grants $1,801,890 7 $293,000 1 $547,150 2 $2,642,040 10

MFH Direct $1,973,573 7 $0 0 $0 0 $1,973,573 7

MFH Guaranteed $18,181,900 13 $10,078,857 4 $17,663,555 7 $45,924,312 24

Farm Labor Housing $19,911,905 11 $0 0 $0 0 $19,911,905 11

Rental Assistance $167,606,776 1,863 $37,628,784 404 $47,648,780 533 $252,884,340 2,800

CF Direct $139,916,678 97 $8,177,800 7 $26,048,500 10 $174,142,978 114

CF Guaranteed $34,837,149 7 $346,277 1 $1,000,000 1 $36,183,426 9

CF Grants $14,121,301 134 $393,200 15 $396,100 13 $14,910,601 162

WWD Direct $220,510,930 117 $42,395,000 19 $7,788,000 7 $270,693,930 143

WWD Guaranteed $2,910,784 3 $0 0 $0 0 $2,910,784 3

WWD Grants $127,964,747 152 $15,419,011 22 $7,158,100 11 $150,541,858 185

Telecom $281,901,164 53 $6,575,000 1 $37,999,056 7 $326,475,220 61

Electric $1,460,732,000 35 $509,540,000 8 $63,159,000 4 $2,033,431,000 47

Other Programs $4,547,011 27 $415,670 4 $635,450 5 $5,598,131 36

TEXAS TOTAL $6,480,237,762 34,236 $1,858,074,094 9,625 $1,242,990,123 7,943 $9,581,301,979 51,804

Texas Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Carr examines the progress of some of his peppers. Thanks to a USDA grant, his 

company is developing a new line of specialty pepper cultivars.
68 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

UTAH

Local and Regional Food Systems

Raspberries Are Ripe for New Product 

Development with USDA Grant

Dave Cornaby’s farm has been in the family for 120 years, just not 

always in the same location. Today the family owns a 20-acre plot 

of land, the same land they owned when Salem, UT, was settled.

For locals, Cornaby’s is synonymous with fresh, beautiful 

raspberries, preserves, honey, and more. Cornaby sells his 

products at regional stores and farmers markets.

USDA Rural Development gave Cornaby a $75,000 ValueAdded Producer Grant to explore ways to transform his berries 

into other marketable products. He hopes to develop a dried, 

chocolate-coated raspberry for sale as a specialty item. Valueadded grants help agricultural producers find new product and 

marketing opportunities. 

“People can grow gardens, but they can’t grow raspberries the 

way we do,” Cornaby says. “Raspberries must be sold within 4 

days of picking, so USDA’s value-added program allows us to 

investigate, leverage, and explore different avenues.”

Coming up with new uses for the berries is a way of preserving 

the family farm. Many neighboring farms have been sold 

to developers in recent years. Today, the Cornaby farm is 

surrounded by homes.

“I’d rather see this fertile ground be used to grow raspberries 

than houses, so I want us to last,” Cornaby says.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $45,177,259 27 $19,805,622 6 $17,670,000 11 $82,652,881 44

IRP $356,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $356,000 2

Renewable Energy $2,640,945 34 $147,519 8 $177,624 8 $2,966,088 50

Business Grants $1,598,732 26 $280,320 7 $374,675 6 $2,253,727 39

REDLG $0 0 $3,942,000 5 $0 0 $3,942,000 5

VAPG $1,661,332 8 $19,467 2 $75,000 1 $1,755,799 11

SFH Direct $210,322,497 1,304 $26,711,780 171 $37,758,907 213 $274,793,184 1,688

SFH Guaranteed $1,362,306,164 8,381 $445,398,275 2,542 $398,450,399 2,214 $2,206,154,838 13,137

SFH Repairs $1,405,897 246 $227,071 36 $203,103 34 $1,836,071 316

SFH Self-Help Grants $12,856,149 21 $496,000 1 $1,657,260 2 $15,009,409 24

MFH Direct $2,665,446 7 $0 0 $0 0 $2,665,446 7

MFH Guaranteed $750,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $750,000 1

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

Rental Assistance $28,308,696 221 $6,170,184 49 $7,923,600 65 $42,402,480 335

CF Direct $69,975,100 21 $12,605,400 6 $70,000 1 $82,650,500 28

CF Guaranteed $60,069,202 13 $11,860,000 2 $2,000,000 1 $73,929,202 16

CF Grants $2,307,171 35 $67,800 3 $184,900 4 $2,559,871 42

WWD Direct $24,769,000 19 $5,522,800 3 $6,258,000 5 $36,549,800 27

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

WWD Grants $23,267,678 23 $2,431,000 4 $8,819,475 4 $34,518,153 31

Telecom $14,009,615 13 $0 0 $8,164,300 2 $22,173,915 15

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

Other Programs $250,000 5 $50,000 1 $50,000 1 $350,000 7

UTAH TOTAL $1,865,696,883 10,408 $535,735,238 2,846 $489,837,243 2,572 $2,891,269,364 15,826

Utah Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Dave Cornaby near his 20 acres of raspberries. He received a Value-Added 

Producer Grant to explore more marketing opportunities.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 69

VERMONT

Local and Regional Food Systems

Investing in Local Food Systems in Vermont’s 

Northeast Kingdom

With USDA’s help, Green Mountain Farm Direct, a non-profit 

regional food distributor, is supporting Vermont agricultural 

producers and helping young people in the Northeast Kingdom 

make healthier food choices.

USDA Rural Development gave Green Mountain a $102,000 Rural 

Business Enterprise Grant to help connect Vermont farmers, 

ranchers, and dairy producers with schools, restaurants, and 

other large institutional buyers. When producers have more than 

they can sell through their regular outlets (farm stands, farmers 

markets, etc.,) a telephone call to Green Mountain connects 

them with buyers for their excess products.

Green Mountain also participates in USDA’s summer feeding 

program, through its “Lunchbox” truck to feed hungry kids. 

When schools let out for the summer and meal service ends, 

Green Mountain picks up the slack, benefitting both nutritionally 

at-risk children and Vermont producers. The food truck 

provides fresh, nourishing meals to children from lower income 

households who otherwise may not have access to lunch away 

from school.

This innovative local foods enterprise is strengthening the 

economy in northern Vermont, maximizing business while 

minimizing farm waste and bringing healthy, locally produced 

foods to customers throughout the region.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $31,916,200 11 $205,680 1 $1,435,000 1 $33,556,880 13

IRP $4,368,000 8 $1,000,000 1 $3,000,000 3 $8,368,000 12

Renewable Energy $10,112,204 181 $196,253 39 $132,981 33 $10,441,438 253

Business Grants $5,574,187 77 $1,397,368 17 $1,426,532 16 $8,398,087 110

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

VAPG $1,175,799 13 $37,500 1 $244,913 1 $1,458,212 15

SFH Direct $53,047,229 373 $6,325,805 50 $7,378,370 50 $66,751,404 473

SFH Guaranteed $294,733,696 1,829 $114,166,060 698 $88,884,298 546 $497,784,054 3,073

SFH Repairs $1,833,923 364 $353,027 60 $382,804 63 $2,569,754 487

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

MFH Direct $13,961,537 18 $0 0 $3,074,744 5 $17,036,281 23

MFH Guaranteed $300,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $300,000 1

Farm Labor Housing $339,035 4 $125,000 1 $0 0 $464,035 5

Rental Assistance $29,367,643 220 $5,516,064 42 $9,408,240 68 $44,291,947 330

CF Direct $16,222,650 37 $1,350,800 4 $772,900 4 $18,346,350 45

CF Guaranteed $8,340,700 7 $0 0 $162,126 1 $8,502,826 8

CF Grants $2,658,519 90 $222,200 14 $266,900 13 $3,147,619 117

WWD Direct $33,299,200 31 $9,408,000 4 $3,951,000 4 $46,658,200 39

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

WWD Grants $37,502,329 38 $4,646,000 4 $5,594,300 11 $47,742,629 53

Telecom $124,296,006 12 $0 0 $498,856 1 $124,794,862 13

Electric $15,300,000 2 $0 0 $0 0 $15,300,000 2

Other Programs $2,061,146 18 $350,000 4 $250,000 4 $2,661,146 26

VERMONT TOTAL $686,410,003 3,334 $145,299,757 940 $126,863,964 824 $958,573,724 5,098

Vermont Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden (right) on Green Mountain’s 

“Lunchbox” truck to provide healthy lunches to Vermont children over the summer.
70 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

VIRGINIA

Community Economic Development • StrikeForce Initiative

Monogram Foods Finds New Home in Rural Virginia

For the last 15 years, rural Martinsville, VA, has been suffering through an economic 

downturn following the loss of most of its textile mills and other manufacturing jobs. 

The Martinsville area has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State.

Monogram Foods — a major U.S. snack food manufacturer — wanted to expand 

operations. The firm was seeking a quality rural workforce for a manufacturing plant 

outside its home State of Tennessee. Company leaders had to look no farther than 

Martinsville to strike gold.

USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program was a 

perfect fit to help the company with its expansion plans. The agency partnered with 

Tennessee-based Community South Bank to provide Monogram Foods with a $5.7 

million guaranteed loan to start the food processing facility in Martinsville.

With USDA’s help, this food-maker is providing critically needed jobs for residents in the 

Martinsville area, improving the local outlook for a small community in one of the most 

economically depressed parts of the State. Since opening, the Martinsville plant has 

been so successful that Monogram Foods added a third shift in 2014, bringing the total 

workforce up to more than 500 employees.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $99,456,629 39 $16,935,240 7 $29,376,620 10 $145,768,489 56

IRP $707,000 2 $500,000 1 $0 0 $1,207,000 3

Renewable Energy $4,117,319 106 $815,350 38 $2,043,797 31 $6,976,466 175

Business Grants $3,544,354 42 $485,000 9 $639,813 7 $4,669,167 58

REDLG $905,000 3 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $1,905,000 4

VAPG $2,837,624 19 $1,606,750 10 $1,625,000 9 $6,069,374 38

SFH Direct $119,849,349 873 $8,328,095 56 $9,474,700 65 $137,652,144 994

SFH Guaranteed $1,822,441,634 12,370 $664,701,661 4,102 $619,749,642 3,863 $3,106,892,937 20,335

SFH Repairs $5,455,750 915 $909,108 146 $525,800 75 $6,890,658 1,136

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

MFH Direct $9,407,289 16 $0 0 $846,007 1 $10,253,296 17

MFH Guaranteed $2,526,300 1 $0 0 $2,222,564 1 $4,748,864 2

Farm Labor Housing $0 0 $0 0 $2,000,000 2 $2,000,000 2

Rental Assistance $89,264,340 759 $20,952,540 169 $27,845,640 217 $138,062,520 1,145

CF Direct $157,601,532 115 $47,476,745 19 $8,233,957 21 $213,312,234 155

CF Guaranteed $326,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $326,000 1

CF Grants $12,084,698 314 $1,156,640 49 $1,675,443 51 $14,916,781 414

WWD Direct $231,766,280 89 $26,481,000 14 $7,858,000 5 $266,105,280 108

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

WWD Grants $84,184,788 68 $9,699,500 10 $6,213,250 21 $100,097,538 99

Telecom $97,492,620 24 $2,607,000 1 $3,753,330 3 $103,852,950 28

Electric $2,308,761,000 21 $528,100,000 3 $404,315,000 4 $3,241,176,000 28

Other Programs $6,671,054 29 $484,740 4 $482,859 4 $7,638,653 37

VIRGINIA TOTAL $5,059,400,560 15,806 $1,331,239,369 4,638 $1,129,881,422 4,391 $7,520,521,351 24,835

Virginia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

USDA is assisting the region through its 

StrikeForce Initiative to combat persistent 

poverty in rural areas.

The Monogram Foods plant in Martinsville, VA, has 

brought more than 500 jobs to the area.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 71

WASHINGTON

Community Economic Development

New Bridge for Raft Island

Raft Island is located alongside of Gig Harbor, in rural Pierce County, WA. More than 700 

people live on the island, but its only access route, a more than 50-year-old bridge built 

in 1957, was no longer safe.

The Raft Island Improvement Association (RIIA) started searching for financing to 

replace the bridge, but Pierce County officials said the county wouldn’t be able to help. 

Next, RIIA staff turned to a local bank for loan financing but were turned down due to 

difficulty securing a lien on a bridge.

The bridge committee’s loan applications were rejected dozens of times before they 

finally secured financing through USDA Rural Development. Rural Development 

provided three Community Facilities loans totaling $5.7 million during different phases 

of construction work on the bridge. RIIA contributed $1.2 million toward the total 

project cost.

Raft Island’s reconstructed, 757-foot-long bridge opened in June 2014. The new bridge 

was built to meet current load-capacity standards to accommodate larger, heavyweight 

vehicles. Now that the bridge is secure, emergency responders can safely transport 

injured people during a crisis.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $105,749,821 44 $23,917,500 7 $16,242,150 7 $145,909,471 58

IRP $3,244,000 6 $500,000 1 $1,750,000 2 $5,494,000 9

Renewable Energy $12,704,942 132 $997,921 60 $656,485 56 $14,359,348 248

Business Grants $3,473,376 53 $472,206 8 $478,673 6 $4,424,255 67

REDLG $200,000 1 $80,000 1 $1,050,000 2 $1,330,000 4

VAPG $2,229,418 16 $1,161,850 6 $1,128,600 8 $4,519,868 30

SFH Direct $224,727,924 1,243 $34,607,138 211 $20,979,854 135 $280,314,916 1,589

SFH Guaranteed $2,195,102,193 11,720 $733,369,579 3,819 $581,833,322 3,040 $3,510,305,094 18,579

SFH Repairs $2,683,935 383 $540,031 78 $270,192 41 $3,494,158 502

SFH Self-Help Grants $15,221,426 17 $761,400 2 $3,864,026 3 $19,846,852 22

MFH Direct $7,302,403 12 $689,032 2 $0 0 $7,991,435 14

MFH Guaranteed $12,361,428 8 $0 0 $0 0 $12,361,428 8

Farm Labor Housing $16,510,310 13 $2,500,000 2 $5,000,000 4 $24,010,310 19

Rental Assistance $92,545,169 830 $20,441,376 186 $26,769,156 203 $139,755,701 1,219

CF Direct $88,109,400 51 $16,708,000 6 $5,366,800 8 $110,184,200 65

CF Guaranteed $21,860,100 7 $3,675,000 2 $0 0 $25,535,100 9

CF Grants $3,871,911 77 $288,300 11 $353,102 12 $4,513,313 100

WWD Direct $184,890,564 68 $10,821,100 9 $15,589,900 13 $211,301,564 90

WWD Guaranteed $16,400,000 5 $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $19,400,000 6

WWD Grants $40,956,785 35 $3,085,300 5 $4,547,000 5 $48,589,085 45

Telecom $122,527,367 24 $0 0 $26,857,841 8 $149,385,208 32

Electric $194,367,000 8 $9,293,000 1 $0 0 $203,660,000 9

Other Programs $6,276,082 28 $449,207 3 $644,494 5 $7,369,783 36

WASHINGTON TOTAL $3,373,315,554 14,781 $867,357,940 4,421 $713,381,595 3,558 $4,954,055,089 22,760

Washington Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Construction of the new, improved bridge for Raft 

Islanders in Washington State.
72 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

WEST VIRGINIA

The Bioeconomy

Bioeconomy Investments Help West Virginia Poultry Grower

Malcolm Farms, a pullet poultry farm in Moorefield, WV, needed to reduce its annual 

electric costs to become more profitable and competitive in the poultry industry. The 

owners worked with the Natural Capital Investment Fund and Mountain View Solar to 

explore the feasibility of installing solar panels at their two, large poultry houses. In 

2012, the houses used 45,000 kWh of electricity at a cost of more than $4,000 per year.

USDA gave Malcolm Farms a $30,000 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant 

to install 132 solar modules that are designed to generate roughly 85 percent of the 

total energy demanded by the pullet production houses. Since January 2014, the solar 

panels have generated more than 30,000 kWh for the farm operation.

In addition to the money saved from lower electric costs due to the solar panels, 

Malcolm Farms has obtained tax rebates.

After the panels were installed, Malcolm Farms presented information about this project 

during a seminar at the Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Moorefield. 

The seminar led to increased interest in solar power for poultry farms in the region.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $100,421,000 36 $14,048,850 3 $14,065,165 2 $128,535,015 41

IRP $1,281,000 3 $750,000 1 $0 0 $2,031,000 4

Renewable Energy $1,902,147 37 $301,903 13 $221,586 10 $2,425,636 60

Business Grants $2,829,630 26 $282,000 6 $384,000 8 $3,495,630 40

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

VAPG $49,000 1 $45,000 1 $0 0 $94,000 2

SFH Direct $74,627,799 727 $10,465,144 112 $5,455,282 57 $90,548,225 896

SFH Guaranteed $778,744,083 6,331 $272,566,390 2,064 $242,954,210 1,838 $1,294,264,683 10,233

SFH Repairs $4,737,639 984 $845,551 154 $622,400 134 $6,205,590 1,272

SFH Self-Help Grants $107,568 1 $0 0 $0 0 $107,568 1

MFH Direct $7,865,958 1 $0 0 $0 0 $7,865,958 1

MFH Guaranteed $4,520,000 5 $1,758,500 2 $2,115,000 2 $8,393,500 9

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

Rental Assistance $43,237,260 610 $11,291,400 148 $13,122,000 170 $67,650,660 928

CF Direct $84,962,070 45 $72,271,650 23 $17,650,980 8 $174,884,700 76

CF Guaranteed $14,175,000 4 $0 0 $0 0 $14,175,000 4

CF Grants $3,709,101 107 $295,600 18 $303,400 21 $4,308,101 146

WWD Direct $168,140,600 83 $18,078,000 12 $23,366,000 10 $209,584,600 105

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

WWD Grants $93,786,801 91 $8,389,325 13 $11,608,740 16 $113,784,866 120

Telecom $45,031,524 11 $0 0 $3,270,323 8 $48,301,847 19

Electric $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $3,000,000 1

Other Programs $10,596,082 25 $1,054,400 3 $665,338 3 $12,315,820 31

WEST VIRGINIA TOTAL $1,443,724,262 9,129 $412,443,713 2,573 $335,804,424 2,287 $2,191,972,399 13,989

West Virginia Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

A solar panel array on top of one of Malcolm Farms’ 

poultry houses. The renewable energy system is 

helping this rural West Virginia farm operation save 

money on its energy costs.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 73

WISCONSIN

Local and Regional Food Systems • Community 

Economic Development

Northern Wisconsin Food Pantry Meets Community’s 

Needs With USDA’s Help

Wisconsin’s Rhinelander area has lost 1,200 high-paying jobs 

in the last decade. As a result, many families are economically 

distressed — more than half of the students in the region qualify 

for free or reduced-price school lunches.

To assist families who’ve fallen on hard times, the Rhinelander 

Area Food Pantry (RAFP) works to ensure everyone has access 

to food and no family goes hungry. RAFP needed to replace 

outdated equipment and more room for storage to meet the 

growing need for its services.

After months of fundraisers, RAFP moved to a new, larger 

7,200-square-foot facility more suited for food distribution. 

Previously, the food bank had been sharing space with a local 

thrift store.

USDA Rural Development awarded RAFP a $26,000 Community 

Facilities grant to buy equipment for the new location, including 

shopping carts, a forklift and two floor scales to weigh food. The 

project was also supported through a grant from the State.

RAFP serves nearly 500 families each month and distributes 

500,000 pounds of food per year. The food bank runs a “Weekend 

Food for Kids” program that brings backpacks filled with food to 

about 200 children on weekends to ensure that they don’t go 

hungry when school breakfasts and lunches aren’t available.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $346,012,372 89 $33,517,000 10 $33,702,500 6 $413,231,872 105

IRP $842,296 3 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $1,842,296 4

Renewable Energy $10,067,830 381 $1,385,301 133 $426,117 110 $11,879,248 624

Business Grants $5,169,172 59 $680,336 10 $900,992 9 $6,750,500 78

REDLG $4,103,000 8 $625,000 2 $992,000 3 $5,720,000 13

VAPG $9,406,732 40 $722,051 5 $342,562 4 $10,471,345 49

SFH Direct $93,794,466 825 $16,135,266 152 $16,100,374 139 $126,030,106 1,116

SFH Guaranteed $1,617,968,961 13,361 $486,521,801 3,906 $414,611,488 3,290 $2,519,102,250 20,557

SFH Repairs $4,836,587 904 $995,030 198 $947,587 167 $6,779,204 1,269

SFH Self-Help Grants $920,551 3 $0 0 $0 0 $920,551 3

MFH Direct $12,887,337 25 $2,134,053 5 $1,165,492 4 $16,186,882 34

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 $61,287,944 1,182 $14,025,480 248 $16,873,432 272 $92,186,856 1,702

CF Direct $58,679,175 38 $56,386,000 10 $41,600,000 5 $156,665,175 53

CF Guaranteed $17,830,900 8 $2,500,000 1 $2,215,000 1 $22,545,900 10

CF Grants $6,491,035 102 $411,329 10 $795,095 15 $7,697,459 127

WWD Direct $110,525,150 69 $34,906,700 12 $22,915,630 10 $168,347,480 91

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

WWD Grants $49,310,183 80 $15,897,485 14 $9,504,130 18 $74,711,798 112

Telecom $307,461,023 65 $28,655,881 4 $805,778 3 $336,922,682 72

Electric $348,350,000 11 $136,862,000 4 $4,800,000 1 $490,012,000 16

Other Programs $8,418,104 38 $581,702 7 $1,058,342 6 $10,058,149 51

WISCONSIN TOTAL $3,076,330,639 17,298 $832,942,415 4,731 $570,756,519 4,064 $4,480,029,572 26,093

Wisconsin Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

A RAFP volunteer stocks the shelves on the day of the grand opening at food 

bank’s new location.
74 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

WYOMING

Community Economic Development

USDA Helps Renovate A Rural Wyoming Hospital

Thirty-five miles might not seem like a long distance to travel, but when a Wyoming 

blizzard is blowing and the road is a sheet of ice, delays can mean the difference 

between life or death.

South Big Horn County Hospital in Basin, WY, a critical care hospital built in 1956, 

urgently needed remodeling to meet increased demand for medical services and 

provide better care and treatment for clients.

USDA Rural Development gave the county hospital a $3.9 million Community Facilities 

loan to upgrade and re-equip the emergency room, improve in-patient care and food 

service locations, and increase the number of patient beds from 6 to 10. The renovation 

plan includes energy-efficiency improvements and accessibility modifications for people 

with disabilities.

Thanks to a loan from USDA, South Big Horn County 

Hospital is being renovated to provide modern 

medical care, emergency services, and treatment to 

area residents.

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $21,227,487 19 $9,092,482 5 $25,256,900 6 $55,576,869 30

IRP $177,000 1 $0 0 $0 0 $177,000 1

Renewable Energy $330,171 13 $52,394 4 $66,791 3 $449,356 20

Business Grants $651,869 15 $97,000 4 $114,000 3 $862,869 22

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

VAPG $19,202 1 $33,290 1 $0 0 $52,492 2

SFH Direct $31,407,104 227 $3,667,778 29 $3,437,642 23 $38,512,524 279

SFH Guaranteed $899,791,071 5,096 $262,026,558 1,465 $245,181,671 1,355 $1,406,999,300 7,916

SFH Repairs $480,184 85 $35,292 5 $25,103 7 $540,579 97

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

MFH Direct $7,183,370 16 $446,700 1 $553,188 1 $8,183,257 18

MFH Guaranteed $1,011,017 1 $0 0 $2,034,580 1 $3,045,597 2

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

Rental Assistance $16,993,748 160 $4,282,680 34 $4,879,368 38 $26,155,796 232

CF Direct $15,711,400 8 $0 0 $1,000,000 1 $16,711,400 9

CF Guaranteed $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

CF Grants $556,006 12 $51,900 3 $75,600 3 $683,506 18

WWD Direct $2,650,500 6 $728,000 2 $1,295,000 2 $4,673,500 10

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

WWD Grants $2,551,958 7 $1,827,000 4 $5,612,000 3 $9,990,958 14

Telecom $54,066,957 10 $0 0 $0 0 $54,066,957 10

Electric $197,233,000 9 $52,307,000 3 $4,110,000 1 $253,650,000 13

Other Programs $762,500 8 $72,828 2 $50,000 1 $885,328 11

WYOMING TOTAL $1,253,804,544 5,695 $334,720,902 1,562 $293,691,843 1,448 $1,882,217,288 8,705

Wyoming Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

Improving and expanding the hospital 

will help ensure that local families don’t 

have to travel elsewhere for aid during 

medical emergencies. USDA worked with 

local, county, district, and State partners 

on this project to provide better health 

care in this remote, underserved part of 

the State.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 75

Virgin Islands Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $31,950,000 6 $3,000,000 1 $0 0 $34,950,000 7

IRP $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

Renewable Energy $98,568 7 $208,742 7 $125,000 3 $432,310 17

Business Grants $0 0 $0 0 $50,000 1 $50,000 1

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

VAPG $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0

SFH Direct $6,124,219 51 $1,968,919 14 $2,193,737 20 $10,286,875 85

SFH Guaranteed $3,426,003 28 $702,652 4 $488,673 4 $4,617,328 36

SFH Repairs $244,742 36 $37,485 5 $22,141 4 $304,368 45

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 $20,103,660 69 $4,382,784 13 $5,582,832 17 $30,069,276 99

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 $0 0 $272,100 2 $0 0 $272,100 2

Telecom $0 0 $0 0 $750,000 1 $750,000 1

Electric $0 0 $13,000,000 1 $0 0 $13,000,000 1

VIRGIN ISLANDS TOTAL $61,947,192 197 $23,572,682 47 $9,212,383 50 $94,732,257 294

2009 - 2012 2013 2014 Total Amount Total Award

AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD AMOUNT AWARD

B&I $24,252,500 6 $3,120,000 2 $500,000 1 $27,872,500 9

IRP $1,150,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $1,150,000 3

Renewable Energy $125,688 4 $548,336 5 $88,320 3 $762,344 12

Business Grants $635,272 13 $50,000 1 $100,000 2 $785,272 16

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

VAPG $0 0 $300,000 1 $9,340 1 $309,340 2

SFH Direct $24,722,297 162 $3,429,485 31 $9,091,050 51 $37,242,832 244

SFH Guaranteed $36,253,985 202 $8,071,253 45 $8,569,149 51 $52,894,387 298

SFH Repairs $2,257,588 268 $635,702 80 $837,429 105 $3,730,719 453

SFH Self-Help Grants $545,170 4 $236,700 1 $0 0 $781,870 5

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 $31,230,000 7 $0 0 $26,700,000 4 $57,930,000 11

CF Guaranteed $37,900,000 3 $0 0 $0 0 $37,900,000 3

CF Grants $1,367,214 23 $95,937 3 $100,000 3 $1,563,151 29

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 $0 0 $0 0 $15,019,300 2

Telecom $122,832,667 7 $0 0 $0 0 $122,832,667 7

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

Other Programs $6,152,388 4 $2,446,311 2 $0 0 $8,598,699 6

WESTERN PACIFIC TOTAL $392,980,069 720 $18,933,724 171 $45,995,288 221 $457,909,081 1,112

Western Pacific Rural Development FY 2009-FY 2014 Yearly Totals
76 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Rural Housing Service

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/

Grant Terms/Conditions

Single-Family 

Housing Direct 

Loans

Safe, well-built, affordable 

homes for 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 moderate-income 

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 

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, 

winterizing, 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 lowincome applicants 62 years or older 

unable to pay 1% loan.

Single-Family 

Housing Direct 

Loans for 

Self-Help

Single-family home 

ownership direct 

loans are provided for 

individual homes built by 

a group of applicants, with 

construction guidance of a 

non-profit organization.

Families and 

individuals. Individual 

applications for 

each participating 

individual/family.

Construction of a home, 

in part by the applicant 

under supervision.

Rural areas with 

populations of up to 

35,000.

Direct loan. Individuals/families receive a direct 

loan from Rural Development. 

Participating non-profit housing 

organization receive grants for 

project supervision.

Self-Help 

Technical 

Assistance 

Grants

Assist lower income families 

in building their own homes.

Non-profits 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 very 

low-income individuals and 

families.

Individuals, trusts, 

associations, limited 

partnerships, forprofit and non-profit 

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 (non-profits); 97% (for-profits); 

95% (for-profits with Low-Income 

Housing Tax Credits). 30-year term 

with up to 50-year amortization. 

Rural Rental 

Housing Loan 

Guarantees

Provides loan guarantees on 

loans to build or preserve 

affordable housing for very 

low to moderate-income 

tenants.

For profit and 

non-profit 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 low-income 

rural families.

Public bodies 

and non-profit 

organizations.

Operation of a program 

which 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 Indian 

Tribes.

Construct, enlarge or 

otherwise improve 

essential community 

facilities, such as public 

safety, fire and rescue, 

telecommunications, 

schools, libraries, 

hospitals, other health 

care facilities, etc. This 

may include furnishings, 

fixtures and other 

required equipment.

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 non-profit or 

public organizations, 

philanthropic 

foundations, lowincome communities.

Technical assistance grants 

of $50,000 to $300,000 to 

develop the capacity and 

ability of the 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.

Overview of USDA Rural Development Financing Options
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 77 

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 

Enterprise Grants

Finance and facilitate the 

development of small and 

emerging private business 

enterprises.

Public bodies, private 

non-profit corporations 

and tribes.

Refinancing, land 

acquisition, revolving 

funds, construction, 

equipment, access streets 

and roads, utility and 

service extensions, and 

rural distance learning 

networks.

All areas except 

cities with 

populations 

over 50,000 and 

their contiguous 

urbanized areas.

Grant. Amount based on 

funding availability, 

funding priority and 

national goals.

Intermediary 

Relending Program 

Loans 

Establish revolving funds 

for business facilities and 

community development 

projects.

Public bodies, non-profit 

corporations, Native 

American Tribes and 

cooperatives.

Community development 

projects, establishment or 

expansion of businesses, 

creation or saving of 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 to places 

with populations of 

2,500 or less.

Direct loan 

or grant to 

establish 

revolving loan 

fund.

Intermediary makes 

loans to for-profit or 

non-profit businesses 

and public bodies. Loans 

are 0% for 10 years.

Rural Cooperative 

Development 

Grants

Establish/operate centers for 

cooperative development.

Non-profits 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.

Small Socially 

Disadvantaged 

Producer Grants

Provides funds to eligible 

cooperatives or an 

association of cooperatives 

to provide technical 

assistance to small, socially 

disadvantaged producers in 

rural areas.

Cooperatives and 

associations of 

cooperatives whose 

membership and board 

of directors is comprised 

of at least 75% socially 

disadvantaged agricultural 

producers.

Technical assistance. All areas, except 

cities with 

populations 

over 50,000 and 

their contiguous 

urbanized areas.

Grant. Grants are awarded on 

a competitive basis. 

There is no matching 

requirement.

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, majority-controlled 

producer-based 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 dollarfor-dollar basis.

Rural Business 

Opportunity Grants

Finance technical assistance 

for business development 

planning in rural areas.

Public bodies, non-profit 

corporations, Indian 

Tribes on Federal or State 

reservations, cooperatives 

with members that are 

primarily rural residents.

Technical assistance, 

leadership training, 

establishment of business 

support centers, economic 

development plans.

All areas except 

cities over 50,000 

and their contiguous 

urbanized areas.

Grant. Must be completed 

within 2 years after 

project has begun.
78 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Rural Energy for 

America Program 

(REAP) Loan 

Guarantees and 

Grants

Provide assistance for energy 

efficiency improvements or 

purchase of 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 

population 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 

population 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 

Assistance Program 

Loan Guarantees

Provide loan guarantees 

for the development and 

construction of commercialscale biorefineries or to 

retrofit facilities using 

eligible technology for the 

development of advanced 

biofuels.

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, 

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.

Advanced Biofuel 

Payment Program

Provide payments to 

producers of advanced 

biofuels.

Eligible producers of 

advanced biofuels.

Grant to producers of 

advanced biofuels (noncornmercial-based).

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.
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 79 

Rural Utilities Service

Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/

Grant Terms/Conditions

Water and Waste 

Disposal Direct 

Loans and Grants

Provide infrastructure for 

rural areas.

Public entities, Indian 

Tribes and non-profit 

corporations.

Build, repair and improve 

public water systems 

and waste collection and 

treatment systems.

Rural areas, and towns 

with up to 10,000 

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 non-profit 

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 

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 non-profit 

organizations, Indian 

Tribes, 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 

population.

Grant. Applications accepted yearround. Complete applications 

submitted to National Office 

for review.

Technical Assistance/ 

Training/Circuit Rider

Provide technical 

assistance and training.

Public, private, 

and non-profit 

organizations.

Provide technical 

assistance and training to 

assist with management of 

water and waste projects.

Rural areas and towns 

with up to 10,000 

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 revises 

program provisions. New 

rules are expected to be 

published in FY 2015.

Entities seeking to 

provide broadband 

services in rural 

areas.

Finance the construction, 

improvement and 

acquisition of facilities 

and equipment to provide 

broadband service in 

eligible rural communities.

Refer to the new rules, 

when available, for 

population limits.

Refer to 

the new 

rules, when 

available, for 

loan details.

Refer to the new rules, when 

available, for loan terms and 

conditions.

Electric and 

Telecommunications 

Direct Loans and 

Loan Guarantees

Assist rural communities 

in obtaining affordable, 

high-quality electric and 

telecommunications 

services.

Non-profit 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 

in population. 

Telecommunications: 

areas cities with 

populations under 

5,000.

Direct loan 

or loan 

guarantee.

Interest rates are established 

in accordance with 7CFR 

1714. Contact RUS at 

www.rd.usda.gov or 

1 (800) 670-6553.

Distance Learning 

and Telemedicine 

Loans and Grants

Development and 

deployment of advanced 

telecommunication 

services throughout 

rural America to improve 

education and health care.

Incorporated 

entities, including 

municipalities, forprofit, and non-profit 

corporations that 

operate rural schools, 

libraries, health care 

clinics and other 

educational or health 

care 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 

un-served communities.

Public bodies, 

tribes, cooperatives, 

non-profits, 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 population 

over 20,000 which 

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.
80 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

Summary of Funding Purposes

Land & Bldgs. Mach. & Equip. Working Capital Infrastructure Technical Asst./

Training

Rural Housing Service

Single-Family Housing Direct Loans 

(including Self-Help Loans) •

Single-Family Housing Loan Guarantees •

Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants •

Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants •

Rural Rental Housing Direct Loans • •

Rural Rental Housing Loan Guarantees • •

Housing Preservation Grants • • • • •

Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants • • • Community Facilities Direct Loans, 

Loan Guarantees, Grants • • • •

Rural Community Development Initiative •

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Business and Industry Loan Guarantees • • • •

Rural Business Enterprise Grants • • • • •

Intermediary Relending Program Loans • • •

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program • • • • •

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants • • • • •

Rural Cooperative Development Grants • •

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants •

Value-Added Producer Grant • • •

Rural Business Opportunity Grants • Rural Energy for America Program 

Loan Guarantees and Grants • • • •

Biorefinery Assistance Program Loan Guarantees

Repowering Assistance Program

Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

Rural Utilities Service

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 and Loan Guarantees • • •

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants • •

Community Connect Loans and Grants • • • •
USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report 81 

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) 403-6243

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
82 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 

against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on 

the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 

identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital 

status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of 

an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, 

or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or 

activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited 

bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

To File an Employment Complaint 

If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your 

agency’s EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the 

alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. 

Additional information can be found online athttp://www.ascr.usda.

gov/complaint_filing_file.html.

To File a Program Complaint 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, 

complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), 

found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 

or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You 

may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the 

form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 

(202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. 

Persons with Disabilities 

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities 

and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact 

USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or 

(800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). 

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please 

see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by 

email. If you require alternative means of communication for program 

information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Non-Endorsement Disclaimer

Mention of a trade name or brand name does not constitute endorsement 

or recommendation by USDA over similar products not named.

May 2015



86 USDA Rural Development 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities.

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