Louisiana

and Annual Report

Program

Summary

USDA Rural Development

Guide

featuring

Housing,

Community,

and

Business

Financial

Opportunities
Homeownership Opportunities

Affordable Rental Housing

Job Creation/Economic Development

Community Infrastructure/Essential

Facilities

Building communities from the

ground up!

Table of Contents

State Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Secretary’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Under Secretary’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Single Family Housing Programs . . . . . . . . . . .4

Multi-Family Housing Programs . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Business and Cooperative Programs . . . . . . .8

Community Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Other Funding Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Request for Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

“It has been my pleasure to serve the

residents of rural Louisiana as State

Director for USDA Rural Development.” [ Clyde C. Holloway ]
Clyde C. Holloway

State Director

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana

Single Family Housing Programs $486,829,899

Multi-Family Housing Programs $22,015,003

Business and Cooperative

Programs $53,482,248

Community Programs $78,181,845

Total Investment

in Louisiana $640,508,995

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page 1

Louisiana’s

2008 Investment

Monroe Area Office

2410 Old Sterlington Road, Suite C

Monroe, Louisiana 71203

Telephone: (318) 343-4467

Parishes Served:

Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll,

Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse,

Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll

Natchitoches Area Office

6949 Louisiana Highway 1 Bypass, Suite 103

Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

Telephone: (318) 352-7100

Parishes Served:

Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Grant,

Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon,

Webster, and Winn

Lafayette Area Office

Whitney National Bank Building

905 Jefferson Street, Suite 320

Lafayette, Louisiana 70501-7913

Telephone: (337) 262-6601

Parishes Served:

Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron,

Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, 

Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and

Vermilion

Amite Area Office

805 West Oak Street, Room 3

Amite, Louisiana 70422

Telephone: (985) 748-8751

Parishes Served:

Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana,

Jefferson, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans,

Plaquemines, St. Bernard, 

St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, 

St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West

Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana

Alexandria State Office

3727 Government Street

Alexandria, Louisiana 71302

Telephone: (318) 473-7921

Fax: (318) 473-7829

Contact Us

Visit our webpage at:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

December 2008

Dear Readers,

It has been my pleasure to serve the residents of

rural Louisiana as State Director for USDA Rural

Development. During the past few years, I have

seen communities revitalized; farms and businesses

advance toward energy independence; and

families realize dreams of homeownership––all as a

result of USDA Rural Development funding.

I am proud to report that during 2008, USDA Rural

Development in Louisiana led the nation with our

Guaranteed Rural Housing Program, with 3,546 rural housing loan guarantees for over

$443.7 million. We were also fourth in the nation for our Business and Industry Guaranteed

Loan Program with 11 loans guaranteed for over $51.7 million.

My staff worked hard to deliver our programs to the rural residents of Louisiana, and I

commend them for achieving an investment of over $640 million in Louisiana during 2008. 

I invite you to take a moment to learn about our programs on the pages of this Program

Summary Guide and let us know if we can help you or your community.

CLYDE C. HOLLOWAY

State Director

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana
USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 2

It has been almost a year

since President George W.

Bush asked me to serve as the

29th Secretary of Agriculture,

and I have had many great

days working with the

dedicated men and women

at USDA to move our

agriculture, conservation, and

rural development policies

forward. Together, we have

accomplished a great deal in

a short amount of time. 

For more than 70 years, USDA

Rural Development’s mission

has been to deliver a future

that brings expanded

economic opportunities and

an improved quality of life for

rural residents. My family’s

heritage is deeply rooted in

rural agriculture, and I will

forever be proud of my rural

upbringing. Also, having

served 8 years as Governor of

an agriculture State, North

Dakota, gave me a thorough

appreciation for rural

economic development.

Serving USDA has been more

than a job; it has been a

personal commitment. For

me, the future of rural America

is my future as well. 

So, it has indeed been my

pleasure to work with Under

Secretary Thomas Dorr and the

6,000 dedicated professionals

at Rural Development to

develop a rural America that is

a healthy, safe, and

prosperous place in which to

live and work. I have never

met a more driven and

passionate advocate for our

rural communities than the

Under Secretary. As Tom is

fond of saying, Rural

Development, with its myriad

of programs, is the only

Federal agency that can build

a community from the ground

up.

As we enter a new fiscal year,

USDA is being called upon to

help the Nation develop

renewable energy, decrease

our reliance on foreign oil, and

help create extraordinary

opportunities for rural

entrepreneurs.

I have been proud to serve our

Nation during these exciting

and challenging times. I am

confident that with the support

of USDA Rural Development,

rural America’s best days are

yet to come. 

Ed Schafer

Secretary

United States Department of

Agriculture

Ed Schafer

Secretary

United States Department of Agriculture

“. . . it has indeed been my pleasure to work with Under Secretary

Thomas Dorr and the 6,000 dedicated professionals at Rural

Development to develop a rural America that is a healthy, safe, and

prosperous place in which to live and work.” Ed Shafer ]
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page 3

Thomas C. Dorr

Under Secretary

USDA Rural Development

Call it the Rural Renaissance. 

Rural America is changing. An

estimated 60 million people live

in rural areas and most of them

don’t farm. Traditional rural

industries -- agriculture, forestry,

and mining -- are still important,

but rural America today is

diverse, vibrant, and growing. It

is a place where world-class

diagnostics can be made

available to local health

providers via the internet ...

where an industry leader like

Viking Range can thrive in a

Mississippi Delta town of fewer

than 20,000 people ... where

biofuels, wind, and solar power

are driving a revolution in

renewable energy ... and in

which millions of people, who in

an earlier era would have fled

to the city, find in rural

communities a superior quality

of life.

These successes don’t happen

by accident. The internet

revolution and broadband

have dramatically expanded

the horizons of rural

communities and businesses.

Renewable energy, which is

largely rural energy, is

generating new economic

growth and jobs. Farm income,

farm exports, and farm equity

are at record highs. Rural

communities across the country

are upgrading hospitals,

schools, and other essential

community services. Across the

country, smaller cities are

emerging as regional hubs in a

restructuring global economy.

As economic opportunity and

the quality of life in rural

communities continue to

improve, the future of rural

America is bright.

For USDA Rural Development,

these changes represent both a

challenge and an opportunity.

Since 2001, USDA Rural

Development has invested over

$111 billion in business

development, infrastructure,

community facilities and rural

housing. To us, the Rural

Renaissance is not just a slogan;

it is already a tangible reality in

many rural communities, and a

promise of a better tomorrow in

many others. 

It is also a continuing challenge

of reinvention, retraining, and

redefinition for USDA Rural

Development itself. We are

reorganizing and streamlining

our staff, offices, and

regulations. We have

consolidated almost 350 small,

single purpose offices with a

goal of making all services

accessible at all locations. We

have become more efficient

and more responsive, and we

have implemented major new

tools to increase accountability

and transparency.

Above all, we are working to

empower rural residents,

businesses, and communities

to take control of their own

futures. USDA Rural

Development is aggressively

seeking out partners for

development in the private

sector, non-profit organizations,

tribal entities, and local

government. Our success is

measured by their success, and

we have succeeded fully only

when a project graduates to

self-sufficiency. 

For rural America, this is truly a

moment of opportunity. Since

the dawn of the industrial age,

the inexorable logic of

economies of scale has

urbanized America. But today,

modern transportation and

communications have

shattered the traditional barriers

of time and distance. The

internet and distributed

computing allow distributed

networks to spread costs and

compete effectively with larger,

more centralized rivals.

Technology gives both

individuals and businesses

unprecedented freedom to live

locally and compete globally.

In an information economy,

modern technology is finally

leveling the playing field. 

USDA Rural Development is

approaching its 75th

anniversary, and the prospects

for rural America have never

been brighter. Rural America is

changing. USDA Rural

Development is changing along

with it to meet new challenges

and opportunities. But one

thing has not changed: the

partnership between USDA

Rural Development and millions

of rural Americans. It is truly a

privilege to serve rural America,

and because of that

partnership, we can meet the

challenges of today with

confidence in a better

tomorrow.

Thomas C. Dorr

Under Secretary

USDA Rural Development

“As economic opportunity and the quality

of life in rural communities continue to

improve, the future of rural America is [ bright.” Thomas C. Dorr
USDA Rural Development

Single Family Housing Programs

Increasing homeownership

opportunities in Louisiana

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Terms/Conditions

Single Family

Housing Direct

Homeownership

Loans

Provide financing for

the purchase of

modest, decent, safe,

and sanitary homes for

very-low and low

income rural

Americans.

Persons apply

to Rural

Development

For the purchase, construction, or

rehabilitation of homes in rural

areas that will be the applicant’s

permanent residence.

Rural areas and

populations of 10,000

or less and under

certain conditions towns

and cities with

population between

10,000 and 20,000

No down-payment. Up to 100% of market value or

cost, whichever is less. Loan amortized for 33

years. Applicant may be eligible for payment

assistance (subsidy) on the loan. New

manufactured housing on permanent foundation

allowable. Loan amortized for 30 years.

Single Family

Housing Home

Repair Loans

and Grants

Assist eligible very-low

income homeowners

in rural areas repair

their homes by

providing financial

assistance.

Persons who

currently own

and occupy

their homes

apply to Rural

Development

Loan funds-To make general

repairs and improvements to

properties and remove health and

safety hazards.

Grant funds-To make repairs and

improvements that will remove

identified health and safety hazards

or to make the property accessible

for household members with

disabilities.

Same as above Loan-Up to 20 years, 1% interest, not to exceed

$20,000.

Grant-Available to those very-low income

homeowners 62 years or older who do not have

repayment ability for a loan. Maximum grant is

$7,500.

Self-Help

Housing Loans

and Technical

Assistance

Grants

Individual homes built

by a group of

applicants, with

construction guidance

of a non-profit

organization

Public bodies

or non-profit

organizations

apply to Rural

Development

to participate in

Self-Help

Program

For the purchase or construction of

homes in rural areas that will be

the applicant’s permanent

residence. Loan applications are

processed on an individual basis

for each participating family. Loan

is for site, material, and skilled

labor.

Same as above The applicant receives a direct loan. The non-profit

housing organization or public body receives grant

assistance to operate and administer a self-help

program. The grant pays administrative expenses

and provides for construction supervision.

Single Family

Housing

Guaranteed

Homeownership

Loans

Assist eligible

moderate income

applicants in buying

their homes by

guaranteeing private

lenders’ loans

Persons apply

to participating

lenders

Loans may be made to purchase

new or existing homes as

applicant’s permanent residence

Same as above 30 year, fixed rate. Interest rate negotiated

between lender and borrower. No down-payment.

If guarantee fee is not included in loan, up to 100%

of market value or cost, whichever is less. If

guarantee fee is included in loan, total loan cannot

exceed 102% LTV. Guarantee fee is 2.0% on new

loans and .5% for refinanced loans. Refinancing

allowed for guaranteed loans and direct loans only.

Single Family Housing

USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 4
USDA Rural Development

Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan

Helps Family Recover From

Devastating House Fire

Natchitoches, Louisiana, is known throughout the South

for its annual Christmas Festival of Lights. Each year, the

festival begins with a parade that is attended by

thousands of visitors and residents. In 2007, while

attending the festival parade, Emily Garland and her

daughter Taylor received an urgent message that

smoke had been spotted coming from their home.

They rushed home, but it was too late, Fire had

destroyed their home and everything in it.

The community, family, and friends responded to the

Garlands’ tragedy by contributing to a “love” fund

established at the Bank of Montgomery by Emily

Garland’s employer. 

Emily was determined to rebuild her home, and the

love fund enabled Ms. Garland to reduce her

construction loan considerably. The Bank of

Montgomery worked with USDA Rural Development to

provide a Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan to finance

the remainder of construction costs.

In June 2008, State Director Clyde Holloway and Bank

of Montgomery Vice President Allen Kees presented

Emily Garland the keys to her new home.

There Is No Place Like Home

The Wallgren and Eschette families are like most St.

Bernard Parish families—they wouldn’t think of living

anywhere else. After the hurricanes of 2005 destroyed

much of St. Bernard Parish, many families––including the

Wallgren and Eschette families––were displaced to

other communities in other parishes, even other states.

Determined to return home, both families worked with

Arbor Lending Group LLC to obtain USDA Rural

Development Guaranteed Rural Housing loan funds to

purchase homes in St. Bernard Parish. 

In June 2008, they returned home. Russell T. Davis,

Administrator for Housing and Community Programs for

USDA Rural Development in Washington, DC, joined

State Director Clyde Holloway in Chalmette to

congratulate the new homeowners, along with Hoby

Givens, Manager of Arbor Lending Group LLC, and Lara

Schultz, Realtor with Specialized Real Estate. Both

Givens and Schultz worked with the Wallgrens and

Eschettes to locate and finance their new homes.

“Without the USDA Rural Development guaranteed

loan, these families would have never been able to

begin rebuilding their lives in St. Bernard Parish,” said

Givens. “This program allowed them to get a second

chance and come home to help rebuild a great

community.”

Equity

Single Family Housing Programs

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page 5

Direct Homeownership Loan Program (Section 502)

Very Low Income 54 $5,412,605

Low Income 35 $3,658,255

Disaster 211 $25,937,678

Total 300 $35,008,538

Guaranteed Loan Program (Section 502)

Home Repair Loan and Grant Programs (Section 504)

Purchase 716 $79,884,855

Refinance 6 $785,201

Disaster 2,824 $363,061,269

Total 3,546 $443,731,325

Loans 27 $173,088

Disaster Loans 143 $942,424

Grants 58 $420,092

Disaster Grants 474 $6,554,431

Total 702 $8,090,035

Single Family Housing Programs

Fiscal Year 2008 Progress

USDA Rural Development is

helping hundreds of rural

Louisiana residents achieve

the dream of

homeownership. During

Fiscal Year 2008, our

homeownership loan

programs helped 3,840

families purchase a home, 6

families refinance their

homes, and 702 families

improve their homes during

2008.
USDA Rural Development

Multi-Family Housing Programs

Providing affordable housing in

Louisiana’s rural communities

USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 6

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Terms/Conditions

Rental Housing for

Families and Elderly

Direct Loans

Safe, well-built, and

affordable rental

housing for rural

Americans

Individuals, profit, and

non-profit organizations.

Apply to Rural

Development

New construction or

substantial rehabilitation

of rental housing

Rural areas and

populations of

20,000 or less

Up to 102% of market value (non-profit). Up to

97% (for profit corporations and limited

partnerships). Amortized up to 50 years. Interest

credit reduces interest rate to 1 percent.

Rental Housing for

Families and Elderly

Loan Guarantees

Safe, well-built, and

affordable rental

housing for rural

Americans

Individuals, profit, and

non-profit organizations.

Apply to intermediary. 

New construction or

substantial rehabilitation

of rental housing

Rural areas and

populations of

20,000 or less

Up to 40-year term. Fixed rate interest rate

negotiated between lender and borrower. Up to

90% guarantee of the appraised value or total

development cost, whichever is less. Application

fee is $2,500. Guarantee fee is 1% at closing.

Annual fee is .5% on unpaid principal.

Housing Preservation

Grants

Repair and rehabilitate

housing owned or

occupied by very-low to

low income rural people

Public bodies and nonprofit corporations apply

to Rural Development

Operate a program

which finances the

repair and rehabilitation

activities

Rural areas and

populations of

20,000 or less

Grant agreement conditions. 

Farm Labor Housing Safe, well-built

affordable rental

housing for farm

workers

Individuals, profit and

non-profit organizations

apply to Rural

Development

New construction or

substantial rehabilitation

of rental housing

Rural areas and

populations of

20,000 or less

Up to 100% of market value.

Up to 33 years at 1% interest.

Multi-Family Housing
Housing Preservation Grant

Funding Helps 64 Families

USDA’s Rural Development provides financial assistance

to sponsoring organizations to assist in the repair and/or

rehabilitation of single-family and rental residences

located in rural communities. 

Sponsors who administer the grant funds can include

state agencies, units of local government, Native

American tribes, and nonprofit organizations.

During Fiscal Year 2008, Housing Preservation Grant

funds were awarded to:

• St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency

• St. Tammany Parish Government

• City of Grambling

These organizations used the grant funding to help lowincome homeowners repair and rehabilitate their

homes. This funding helps protect the health and safety

of people who live in rural areas.

Safe, Affordable Housing

USDA Rural Development is committed to providing

safe and affordable housing to rural residents. Financial

programs are available to finance construction or

rehabilitation of rural rental housing.

Currently, there are 12,537 multi-family rental units in 395

multi-family complexes in Louisiana that are financed

by USDA Rural Development. Many of the tenants in

these complexes are single heads of households, and

many are elderly or disabled. 

Security

Multi-Family Housing Programs

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page 7

Rural Rental Housing Program (Section 515)

Preservation/

Rehabilitation 228 $3,537,016

Rental Assistance Program (Section 521)

Repairs 64 $504,817

Housing Preservation Grants (Section 533)

Family 3,549 $13,184,535

Elderly 1,289 $4,788,635

Total 4838 $17,973,170

Multi-Family Housing Programs

Fiscal Year 2008 Progress

As a result of USDA Rural

Development multi-family

housing programs, over

4,838 families benefited

from rental assistance,

228 families are enjoying

improved housing, and 64

elderly families were able

to make critical home

repairs in Louisiana during

2008.
Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Terms/Conditions

Business and

Industry Loan

Guarantees

Create jobs and

stimulate rural

economies by

providing financial

backing for rural

business

Business applies through

eligible lending institutions

Most legal business purposes.

No production agriculture and

related capital expenditures.

Certain other restrictions apply

All areas, except

cities of more

than 50,000 and

their immediately

adjacent urban

areas

Lender and borrower negotiate terms and

interest rate. Rate must be reasonable.

Variable rates and customary interest rates

must be tied to published base rate and

change no more often than quarterly. The

guarantee fee is 2% of the guaranteed

amount.

Rural Business

Opportunity Grants

(RBOG)

Fund technical

assistance and

planning activities in

rural areas for the

purpose of improving

economic conditions

Public bodies, non-profit

corporations, Indian tribes,

and cooperatives can apply

to the Rural Development

State Office in Alexandria,

Louisiana

Technical assistance for

business development and

economic development

planning

All areas, except

cities of more

than 50,000 and

their immediately

adjacent urban

areas

Grant funds to assist with the completion of a

proposed project, provided that the project

can reasonably be expected to be completed

within 2 full years after it has begun.

Rural Business

Enterprise Grants

(RBEG)

Finance and facilitate

the development of

small and emerging

private business

enterprises

Public bodies and non-profit

corporations can apply to the

Rural Development State

Office in Alexandria,

Louisiana

Buy and develop land.

Construct buildings, plants,

equipment, access streets, and

roads, parking areas, utility

and service extensions, rural

distance learning networks.

Recipients make loans to third

parties.

All areas, except

cities of more

than 50,000 and

their immediately

adjacent urban

areas

When grant funds are used for Revolving

Loan Fund (RLF), the grant recipient makes

loans to businesses from its RLF on terms

consistent with grantee’s approved lending

policy.

Intermediary

Relending

Program (IRP)

Loans

Finance business

facilities and

community

development projects

in rural areas

Public bodies, non-profit

corporations, and

cooperatives can apply to

Rural Development State

Office in Alexandria,

Louisiana

Community development

projects. Establishment or

expansion of businesses.

Creating or saving rural jobs.

Rural areas and

places with

populations of

less than 25,000

The intermediary makes loans to businesses

from its Revolving Loan Fund on terms

consistent with the intermediary’s approved

lending policy.

Rural Economic

Development

Loans and Grants

(REDLG)

Finance economic

development and job

creation in rural

areas

Electric and telephone

cooperatives can apply to

Rural Development State

Office in Alexandria,

Louisiana

Business startup or expansion

projects that create rural jobs.

Funds may also be utilized for

construction of business

assistance facilities by the

electric or telephone

cooperative

Rural areas and

places with

populations of

2,500 or less

The intermediary (electric or telephone

cooperative) makes loans or grants to profit or

nonprofit business and public bodies for rural

economic development and/or job creation

projects.

USDA Rural Development

Business and Cooperative Programs

Creating jobs and strengthening

the economy in Louisiana

USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 8

Business and Cooperative
The Path to Economic Revival

Begins With New Sidewalks!

In August 2008, USDA Rural Development awarded

Rural Business Enterprise Grants to the Town of Mansura

in Avoyelles Parish and the Village of Mer Rouge in

Morehouse Parish. Separated by geography, culture,

and customs, these two rural communities have

something very basic in common––their desire to

improve economic conditions in their community.

Something as simple as good sidewalks can mean

everything to a small downtown business. Good

sidewalks can increase foot traffic to businesses, open

new areas for business development, and entice new

businesses to a community.

USDA Rural Development provides Rural Business

Enterprise Grants for rural projects that finance and

facilitate development of small and emerging rural

businesses. This program is available to public entities

such as municipalities, parishes, and special purpose

districts, as well as rural private non-profit corporations

and tribal governments.

USDA Rural Development Takes

the Bite Out of Energy Costs for

Alligator Farm

USDA Rural Development presented $49,934 in

Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency grant funds to

Abbigator, Inc., to install an energy-efficient water

pump and heating system for their alligator production

facility.

USDA’s Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and

Energy Efficiency Improvements Program helps farmers,

ranchers, and small businesses install renewable energy

generation systems or make energy efficiency

improvements. Abbigator expects to reduce their

current energy usage by 39 percent as a result of

improvements made using these grant funds. 

Opportunity

Business and Cooperative Programs

Through our business and

cooperative programs, USDA

Rural Development is helping

to build and expand

Louisiana’s workforce. During

2008, 974 jobs were created

and/or saved by $53.4 million

in USDA Rural Development

business program funding.

This funding assisted rural

communities to achieve

economic development and

job creation goals.

Business and Cooperative Programs

Fiscal Year 2008 Progress

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan 11 loans $51,793,050

Rural Business Enterprise Grant 6 grants $721,924

Rural Business Opportunity Grant 2 grants $75,000

Rural Economic Development Loans 1 loan $740,000

Renewable Energy/Energy

Efficiency Grant 5 grants $52,274

1890 Cooperative Agreement 1 grant $100,000

Total 26 projects $53,482,248

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page 9
USDA Rural Development

Community Programs

Improving the quality of life in

rural Louisiana

USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 10

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Terms/Conditions

Water and

Waste Disposal

Direct Loans

and Grants

Providing infrastructure

for rural areas

Public entities, Indian tribes,

and non-profit corporations

apply to Rural Development

Build, repair, improve

public water systems and

waste collection and

treatment systems, and

other related costs

Unincorporated rural

areas and incorporated

rural areas with

populations of 10,000 or

less

Interest rates are set quarterly based on an

index of current market yields for municipal

obligations. Repayment term is a maximum

of 40 years. Grant funds may be available.

Water and

Waste Disposal

Guaranteed

Loans

Providing infrastructure

for rural areas

Eligible lenders obtain

guarantee for loans made

and serviced by them.

Lenders should contact the

Rural Development Area

Office or State Office

Construct, repair, modify,

expand, improve water

supply and distribution

systems, and waste

collection and treatment

systems, and other

related costs

Unincorporated rural

areas and incorporated

rural areas with

populations of 10,000 or

less

Not eligible for grant. Eligible lenders obtain

up to a 90% guarantee for loans made and

serviced by them. Lenders should contact

Rural Development Area or State Offices.

Guarantee fee is 1 percent of guaranteed loan

amount.

Community

Facilities Direct

Loans and

Grants

Provide essential

community facilities for

rural communities

Public bodies, non-profit

corps, and federally

recognized Indian Tribes

apply to Rural Development. 

Build essential facilities,

purchase equipment,

fund operating costs; fire

and rescue; public safety;

telecommunications for

schools, libraries,

hospitals

Unincorporated rural

areas and incorporated

rural areas with

populations of 20,000 or

less

Up to 100% of market value.

Up to 40 years or life of security.

Community

Facilities

Guaranteed

Loans

Provide essential

community facilities for

rural communities

Eligible lenders obtain

guarantee for loans made

and serviced by them.

Lenders should contact the

Rural Development Area

Office or State Office

Build essential facilities,

purchase equipment,

fund operating costs; fire

and rescue; public safety;

telecommunications for

schools, libraries,

hospitals, recreation

activities with guaranteed

loan only

Unincorporated rural

areas and incorporated

rural areas with

populations of 20,000 or

less

Eligible lenders obtain up to a 90% guarantee

for loans made and serviced by them.

Lenders should contact Rural Development

Area or State Offices. Guarantee fee is 1

percent of guaranteed loan amount.

Community
New Beginning for Hospital

In August 2008, Morehouse Parish Hospital Service

District 1 received over $12.5 million in federal funding

for hospital improvements and debt refinancing.

$7,874,000 in direct loan funds were awarded through

the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities

Program, which offers grants, loans, and loan

guarantees to develop essential community facilities in

rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. This

funding will be used for emergency department and

rural health clinic improvements, an MRI/CT build out,

second floor air handling unit replacement, exterior and

main entry improvements and additions, laundry

modifications, and replacement of smaller needed

equipment.

$4,643,050 in guaranteed business and industry loan

funds were awarded through USDA Rural

Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan

Program. These funds will be used to purchase

equipment, pay fees, and refinance debt.

New Water System in Starks

Ground was broken in November 2007 for a new water

system that will serve over 775 users in northwest

Calcasieu Parish—many of whom use private water

wells for water.

Construction of the new water system will include

approximately 548,000 linear feet of water distribution

lines, 960 water meters, 60 fire hydrants, 50 flush

hydrants, two water wells, a pump building, a 150,000-

gallon ground storage tank, and a 250,000-gallon

elevated water storage tank.

The new water system was funded by $2,599,000 in

USDA Rural Development loan funds and $3,660,600 in

USDA Rural Development grant funds.

New City Hall for St. Joseph

In November 2007, State Director Clyde Holloway

presented $500,357 in USDA Rural Development loan

and grant funds to the Town of St. Joseph to construct

a new city hall and convention center. 

St. Joseph received $200,000 in loan funds and $300,357

in grant funds from USDA Rural Development to

construct the new city hall. The loan and grant funds

were awarded through USDA Rural Development’s

Community Facilities Program. This program offers

loans, guaranteed loans, and grants to rural areas and

towns up to 20,000 in population to develop essential

community facilities—such as the new city hall in St.

Joseph.

The new 6,000 square foot city hall will house city hall

employees and offer meeting space for town meetings

and other functions.

Expanding populations in

rural areas dictate the need

for new, improved, or

expanded community

facilities and water and/or

waste water systems. USDA

Rural Development helps

communities address these

needs by providing loan and

grant funding to construct,

improve, or expand

community facilities and

infrastructure. 

Progress

Community Programs

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report

Page11

Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans, Guarantees,

and Grants

Loans 17 $24,369,500

Grants 11 $8,521,439

Guarantees 1 $100,000

Delta Regional

Authority Grant 1 $100,000

Total 30 $33,090,939

Grants 1 $95,000

Solid Waste Management Grants

Community Facilities Direct Loans, Guarantees,

and Grants

Loans 12 $26,396,724

Guarantees 1 $16,000,000

Grants 20 $1,039,532

Total 33 $43,436,256

Broadband Loans/Community Connect Grants

Grants 2 $1,298,175

Community Programs

Fiscal Year 2008 Progress

Grants 1 $261,475

Rural Community Development Initiative Grants
USDA Rural Development - 2008 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 12

Other Funding

Opportunities

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Terms/Conditions

Renewable

Energy

Systems and

Energy

Efficiency

Improvements

Grant

To purchase renewable

energy systems and

make energy

improvements for

agricultural producers

and rural small

businesses.

Applicants must be an agricultural

producer or rural small business.

To pay up to 25 percent of the

eligible project costs for

renewable energy systems or

energy improvements.

Not within a city or

town having a

population of

50,000 or more

and the urbanized

area contiguous

and adjacent to

such city or town.

The maximum award per

grant is $250,000 for energy

efficient projects and $500,000

for renewable energy projects.

The maximum amount of

grant assistance to one

individual or entity will not

exceed $750,000.

Value-Added

Producer Grants

(VAPG)

To encourage

independent producers

of agricultural

commodities to further

refine these products

increasing their value to

end users.

Eligible applicants are independent

producers, farmer and rancher

cooperatives, agricultural producer groups,

and majority-controlled producer-based

business ventures.

Grants may be used for planning

activities and for working capital

for marketing value-added

agricultural products and for farmbased renewable energy.

Must be an eligible

applicant.

The maximum planning 

grant is $100,000. The

maximum working capital 

grant is $300,000. Requires

50 percent match.

Section 525

Technical and

Supervisory

Assistance

(TSA) Grants

To help eligible

organizations conduct

programs of technical

and supervisory

assistance for lowincome rural residents

to obtain and/or

maintain occupancy of

adequate housing.

A public or private non-profit corporation,

agency, institution, or Indian tribe.

To provide homeownership and

financial counseling to reduce

both the potential for delinquency

by loan applicants and the level of

payment delinquency by present

borrowers. To facilitate the

delivery of housing programs to

serve the most needy low-income

families in rural areas.

Rural areas and

populations of

10,000 or less

and under certain

conditions towns

and cities with

population

between 10,000

and 20,000.

Amount of grant award

depends on funds available.

This information is announced

through Notices of Funds

Availability (NOFAs) in the

Federal Register.

The maximum award per

grant is $100,000.

Rural

Community

Development

Initiative (RCDI)

Provide financial and

technical assistance to

recipients to develop

their capacity and

ability to undertake

projects related to

housing, community

facilities, or community

and economic

development.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, and

federally-recognized tribal communities.

Provide technical assistance

financial assistance, training, and

purchase of eligible equipment to

meet program objectives.

Unincorporated

rural areas and

incorporated rural

areas with

populations of

20,000 or less.

Requires dollar for dollar cash

match.

Distance

Learning and

Telemedicine

Loans and

Grants (DLT)

Development and

deployment of

advanced

telecommunication

services throughout

rural Louisiana.

Organizations, municipalities, or a Rural

Utilities Service electric or

telecommunications borrower which

operates, or will operate an educational

institution, including a regional educational

laboratory, library, hospital, medical center,

medical clinic, or any rural community

facility; rural schools; libraries; health care

clinics; and other organizations that

operate educational or health care

facilities.

Equipment for classrooms:

cameras, video monitors,

computers, and LAN; and for

physician consultation, radiology,

x-ray scanners, and digital

microscopes.

Rural areas. Loans are Treasury Rate for

10 years and grants require a

15 percent cash or in-kind

match.

Rural

Broadband

Access Loans

and Loan

Guarantees

To expand and improve

broadband access for

rural areas of

Louisiana.

Cooperatives, non-profit, limited dividend

or mutual associations, limited dividend

companies, commercial organizations, and

Indian tribes and tribal organizations

legally organized to provide broadband

services in eligible rural communities.

Construct, lease, and acquire

facilities and equipment to provide

broadband services to eligible

rural communities.

Unincorporated

rural areas and

incorporated rural

areas with

populations of

20,000 or less.

Direct loans are available for

direct-cost-of-money or for 4

percent. Loan guarantees are

negotiated with the lender.

USDA Rural Development announces the availability of money for many of its programs in the

Federal Register, through Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA). Each NOFA lists the application

deadlines, eligibility requirements, and places you can get more help in applying for program

dollars. Funding for the programs listed below is based on the USDA Rural Development annual

budget, and programs listed may not be funded every year. If funding becomes available, a

NOFA is issued in the Federal Register. For a list of funding notices for the current year, visit the

following web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html. Search the Federal Register

web site at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
For more information

Let us know your interests or questions, and Louisiana’s USDA Rural Development staff will

respond by fax, e-mail, mail, or schedule a visit with you. 

Name

Company

Street Address

City State Zip

Telephone Fax

e-mail address

I am familiar with USDA Rural Development programs.

I just learned about USDA Rural Development programs.

If you just learned about USDA Rural Development programs, where did you hear about our programs?

I have the following question(s) about USDA Rural Development programs:

I prefer to receive information by:

telephone call fax e-mail mail

Request For Information

Single Family Housing 

Eligible Applicants: Individuals

Direct Homeownership Loans

Guaranteed Homeownership Loans

Home Repair Loans and Grants

Multi-Family Housing 

Eligible Applicants: Individuals, Profit, and

Non-Profit Organizations

Direct Loans to Construct or

Rehabilitate Rental Housing

Guaranteed Loans to Construct or

Rehabilitate Rental Housing

Farm Labor Housing

Eligible Applicants: Public Bodies and NonProfits

Housing Preservation Grants

Community

Eligible Applicants: Public Entities, Indian

Tribes, and Non-Profit Organizations

Direct Loans and Grants for Water

and Waste Disposal

Guaranteed Loans for Water and

Waste Disposal

Direct Loans and Grants for

Community Facilities

Guaranteed Loans for Community

Facilities

Business and

Cooperative 

Eligible Applicants: Profit or Non-Profit

Organizations, Indian Tribes; Public Bodies, or

Individuals

Guaranteed Loans for Business

and Industry

Eligible Applicants: Public Bodies, Non

Profits, Indian Tribes, and Cooperatives

Rural Business Opportunity Grants

Eligible Applicants: Public Bodies and NonProfits

Rural Business Enterprise Grants

Intermediary Relending Program

Loans

Eligible Applicants: Electric and Telephone

Cooperatives

Rural Economic Development

Loans and Grants

Eligible Applicants: Agricultural Producers and

Small Businesses

Renewable Energy/Energy

Efficiency Loans and Grants

Eligible Applicants: Agricultural Producers

Value-Added Producer Grants

Fax or Mail This Form

Complete your contact information,

check your interest areas, clip this

page from the booklet, 

and return it to us. 

By fax:

Fax to: (318) 473-7963

By mail:

Mail to:

USDA Rural Development

ATTN: Public Information Coordinator

3727 Government Street

Alexandria, Louisiana 71302

I would like to receive more information on:

Cut along this line to mail or fax.
Monroe Area Office

2410 Old Sterlington Road, Suite C

Monroe, Louisiana 71203

Telephone: (318) 343-4467

Parishes Served:

Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, 

East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln,

Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas,

Union, and West Carroll

Natchitoches Area Office

6949 Louisiana Highway 1 Bypass, Suite 103

Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

Telephone: (318) 352-7100

Parishes Served:

Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Grant,

Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon,

Webster, and Winn

Lafayette Area Office

Whitney National Bank Building

905 Jefferson Street, Suite 320

Lafayette, Louisiana 70501-7913

Telephone: (337) 262-6601

Parishes Served:

Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron,

Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette,

Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, 

St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion

Amite Area Office

805 West Oak Street, Room 3

Amite, Louisiana 70422

Telephone: (985) 748-8751

Parishes Served:

Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, 

East Feliciana, Jefferson, Iberville, Lafourche,

Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, 

St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, 

St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa,

Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, 

and West Feliciana

Alexandria State Office

3727 Government Street

Alexandria, Louisiana 71302

Telephone: (318) 473-7921

Fax: (318) 473-7829

Contact Us

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-

3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Visit our webpage at:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Monroe

Area

Office

Lafayette

Area

Office

Natchitoches

Area

Office

Amite

Area

Office