and Annual Report

Program

Summary

USDA Rural Development

featuring

Housing,

Community,

and

Business

Financial

Opportunities

Louisiana

Guide
Table of Contents

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

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

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

Hurricane Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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

Homeownership Opportunities

Affordable Rental Housing

Job Creation/Economic Development

Community Infrastructure/Essential

Facilities

Building communities from the

ground up!

Committed to the

future of rural

communities.
Clyde C. Holloway

State Director

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana

Single Family Housing Programs $224,195,681

Multi-Family Housing Programs $24,175,839

Business and Cooperative

Programs $39,114,116

Community Programs $112,228,387

Total Investment

in Louisiana $399,714,023

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report

Page 1

Dear Readers:

As I travel the roads of Louisiana visiting rural communities,

I see new schools, new hospitals, new town halls, new

businesses, and new homes––all made possible by USDA Rural

Development funding. I have to tell you that it makes me

proud to work for an agency that does so much good.

Whether we are helping to bring a new water system to a

rural area or financing a home for a first-time

homeowner––we are committed to improving the quality of

life for rural residents.

During 2007, USDA Rural Development invested almost 

$400 million in rural areas of Louisiana. This investment

meant that people in rural areas had decent housing, rural

communities had quality health care, rural residents had

access to first responder services, and rural businesses had a

chance to grow and expand.

On the pages of this Program Summary Guide, you will find valuable program information that may

benefit you or your community. You will also find our 2007 Annual Report, which highlights our

program success during 2007. I invite you to read the success stories and enjoy the photographs of

your neighbors––and let us know if we can help you or your community.

Sincerely,

CLYDE C. HOLLOWAY

State Director

USDA Rural Development

Louisiana Louisiana’s

2007 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
Our rural communities are the home and

heart of American agriculture. Family life on

the farm largely depends on the schools,

hospitals, businesses, and other services in

town. That's why our rural development

mission is so important.

In 2007 alone, USDA Rural Development

invested nearly $14 billion in rural

communities, including water systems, health

care, education, small businesses, and home

ownership. I'm very proud of the Bush

Administration's record of support for rural

America and proud of our USDA Rural

Development team of dedicated workers

who ensure our programs have a powerful,

positive impact on rural America.

Ed Schafer 

Secretary of Agriculture

Ed Schafer

Secretary

United States Department of Agriculture

USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 2

Hurricane Recovery

Louisiana’s People and

Communities Are Coming Back!

Since the hurricanes of 2005, 

USDA Rural Development has

invested over $479.2 million in

hurricane impacted areas.

8.29.2005 Katrina
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report

Page 3

Thomas C. Dorr

Under Secretary

USDA Rural Development

We have the privilege of working for an

agency that touches people’s lives, that

strengthens communities, that builds hope

one business, one job and one home at a

time.

Our mission and structure have changed

significantly over the years. While remaining

absolutely committed to our core program

areas, we are also reinventing ourselves ...

once again ... to respond to the remarkable

new opportunities arising due to distributed

computing, broadband, economic

diversification and ... not least ... renewable

energy.

In our present form, we are essentially an

investment bank for rural America with a

portfolio of more than $97 billion. This is

invested in rural infrastructure, housing,

community facilities, business, and energy

development.We are, in fact, the only agency

in the federal government that can build an

entire community from the ground up.

Thomas C. Dorr

Under Secretary

USDA Rural Development

The Facts

As of March 15, 2008, USDA Rural Development has

accomplished the following in hurricane-impacted areas:

• 514 single family housing direct loans obligated for $57,276,722

• 228 single family housing home repair loans obligated for $1,532,011

• 636 single family housing home repair grants obligated for $7,827,716

• 2,631 single family housing guaranteed rural housing loans obligated for

$314,291,438

• 9 community facilities loans obligated for $14,284,700

• 27 community facilities grants obligated for $8,334,766

• 5 water and waste grants obligated for $8,414,591 

• Obligated 902 units of emergency rental assistance for $1,526,184

(August 30, 2005 - February 28, 2006)

• Provided shelter for 1,117 families after the hurricanes.

• 29 business grants for $3,195,431

• 12 business and industry guaranteed loans for $62,568,500

9.24.2005 Rita
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 - 2007 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 4

Virginia Thomas

Self-Help Housing Neighborhood
USDA Rural Development is helping hundreds of rural Louisiana

residents achieve the dream of homeownership. Our homeownership

loan programs have helped 1,899 families purchase a home, one family

refinance their home, and 574 families improve their homes during 2007.

Equity

Single Family Housing Programs

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report

Page 5

Direct Homeownership Loan Program (Section 502)

Very Low Income 50 $4,521,463

Low Income 45 $4,338,352

Disaster 233 $26,843,832

Total 328 $35,703,647

Guaranteed Loan Program (Section 502)

Home Repair Loan and Grant Programs (Section 504)

Purchase 433 $43,809,511

Refinance 1 $91,600

Disaster 1,138 $137,991,529

Total 1,572 $181,892,640

Self-Help Housing Program (Section 523)

Technical Assistance

Grant 2 $492,450

Supervisory/Technical

Assistance Grant 1 $100,000

Loans 41 $269,355

Disaster Loans 112 $700,877

Grants 58 $385,165

Disaster Grants 363 $4,651,547

Total 574 $6,006,944

Single Family Housing Programs Owning a Fiscal Year 2007 Progress

Home

Making Dreams Come True

USDA Rural Development is in

the business of making

homeownership dreams come

true. Almost 2,000 families in

Louisiana walked into their own

homes as a result of USDA Rural

Development financing in 2007.

Guaranteed Rural Housing

Loan Program

Many families, such as the Boulet

family in Carencro and Amanda

Kate Farrar in Sulphur contacted

a local lender and took advantage

of USDA Rural Development’s

Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan

Program.

Direct Home Loan Program

Other families, such as Virginia

Thomas’ family, contacted the

local USDA Rural Development

office and purchased their home

with a USDA Rural Development

Direct Single Family Housing

Loan.

Self-Help Housing Program

Some families, including 

Ms.Thomas’ family, took it one

step further and constructed their

own homes through USDA Rural

Development’s Self-Help Housing

Program.

Home Repair Loan and

Grants

Hundreds of other families who

already owned their homes were

able to gain much needed

assistance from USDA Rural

Development to make critical

repairs to their homes.

Homeownership dreams are

turning into reality for thousands

of Louisiana families. So, what is

the secret to their success? Hard

work and determination by the

families and financing from USDA

Rural Development.

Christopher and

Jene Boulet

Christopher and Jene Boulet’s new

home––financed by USDA Rural Development’s

Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program.

Amanda Kate Farrar
USDA Rural Development

Multi-Family Housing Programs

Providing affordable housing in

Louisiana’s rural communities

USDA Rural Development - 2007 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

Carolyn Ducros, tenant.

Cathy and Catherine Montelaro,

tenants.

Debbie Cannon, manager of

Maple Ridge Apartments,

Covington, Louisiana

Maple Ridge Apartments,

Covington, Louisiana
Security

Multi-Family Housing Programs

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report

Page 7

Rural Rental Housing Program (Section 515)

Preservation/

Rehabilitation 395 Units $7,994,531

Rental Assistance Program (Section 521)

Repairs 44 $405,084

Housing Preservation Grants (Section 533)

Family 1,631 $10,455,064

Elderly 803 $5,321,160

Total 2,434 $15,776,224

Multi-Family Housing Programs

Fiscal Year 2007 Progress

USDA Rural Development’s

multi-family housing loan and

loan guarantee programs make it

possible for families and the

elderly to live in affordable rental

housing in rural areas.

There are 12,592 multi-family

rental units in 397 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.

The Rural Rental Housing

Program enables very low-, low-,

and moderate-income rural

residents to have access to and

enjoy safe, decent, sanitary

shelter.

As a result of USDA Rural

Development multi-family

housing programs, over 2,434

families benefited from rental

assistance, 395 families are

enjoying improved housing, and

44 elderly families were able to

make critical home repairs in

Louisiana during 2007.

Affording a

Place to Live

High Cost of Living

Two years ago, Carolyn Ducros faced

$1,600 a month in medical bills, and

her rent was increasing from $400 a

month to $450. These costs were

overwhelming to Carolyn, who

depended on her Social Security

income to pay her bills.

Then, Carolyn moved into a USDA

Rural Development-financed

apartment complex where she only

pays $89 a month rent. Now, life is a

little easier, and Carolyn feels secure in

her new home.

Rental Assistance Program

USDA Rural Development provides

rental assistance to ensure that elderly,

disabled, and low-income residents of

multi-family housing complexes

financed by USDA Rural Development

can afford rent payments. With the

help of rental assistance, a qualified

applicant pays no more than 30

percent of his or her income for

housing.

Recovery From the Hurricanes

Catherine Montelaro and her daughter

Cathy are hurricane evacuees from 

St. Bernard Parish where they lost

everything to the 2005 hurricanes.

Faced with an uncertain future, the

Montelaros found a home they could

afford in a USDA Rural Developmentfinanced complex. Today, Catherine

and her daughter have decided to call

their new address “home.” “I love my

new home,” says Catherine.

Rental Assistance Makes the

Difference

Debbie Cannon and Donna Porche,

managers of apartment complexes in

Covington and Mandeville

agree––most people on a fixed income

cannot afford local apartment costs

which range anywhere from $500 to

$800 per month. “Rental assistance

makes it possible for people to afford

a decent place to live,” said Porche.

USDA Rural Development in Louisiana

invested over $15.7 million in rental

assistance during 2007––benefiting

2,434 families.

Donna Porche,

manager of

Pine Cliff

Apartments in

Mandeville,

Louisiana,

checks out the

playground

equipment with

Juiet

Schillings,

USDA Rural

Development

Multi-Family

Housing

Specialist.

Pine Cliff Apartments, Mandeville, Louisiana
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

Business and Cooperative Programs

Creating jobs and strengthening

the economy in Louisiana

USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la

Page 8

John H. Broussard, USDA Rural Development Business and Cooperative

Programs Director; Stan McGee, Chief Administrative Officer for the Acadiana

Regional Development District; Corinne Dupuy, Director of the Manufacturing

and Entrepreneurial Partnership of Louisiana (MEPoL); Dr. Ray Authement,

President of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; and Clyde C. Holloway,

State Director of USDA Rural Development in Louisiana.
Opportunity

Business and Cooperative Programs

Through our business and cooperative programs, USDA Rural Development is

helping to build and expand Louisiana’s workforce. During 2007, 3,649 jobs

were created and/or saved by $39.1 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 2007 Progress

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan 6 Loans $38,005,000

Rural Business Enterprise Grant 7 Grants $779,000

Rural Business Opportunity Grant 5 Grants $185,000

Value-Added Producer Grant 1 Grant $95,182

Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Grant 1 Grant $49,934

Total 20 Projects $39,114,116

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la USDA Rural Development - 2007 Annual Report

Page 9

Building the

Economy

Now Showing! MOVIES!

Citizens of Ruston and Lincoln

Parish waited over 10 years for a hometown

movie theater to return to Ruston—and it

was well worth the wait. Residents line up

regularly now at the new Celebrity Theatre to

enjoy first-run movies in an eight-screen,

stadium-style movie theater, complete with

digital surround sound. The theater has been

a boon to the community—adding an

entertainment venue, as well as new jobs and

stimulating economic growth. Construction

of the theater was funded by Community

Trust Bank, a local Ruston bank, through a

USDA Rural Development Guaranteed

Business and Industry Loan.

Improving Productivity

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL)

sponsors the Manufacturing Extension

Partnership of Louisiana (MEPoL) to provide

small manufacturers the help they need to

succeed. During 2007, USDA Rural

Development awarded ULL a $275,000 Rural

Business Enterprise Grant for MEPoL to

provide training and technical assistance to

rural businesses throughout Louisiana. As a

result of this funding, MEPoL will be able to

help manufacturers in Louisiana improve

productivity and profitability.

Entrepreneurial Development

Acadiana Regional Development District

(ARDD) is a regional planning and resource

center that serves Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette,

St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion

Parishes. ARDD promotes and fosters

economic development through regional

partnerships and cooperation. In 2007, USDA

Rural Development awarded ARDD a $59,000

Rural Business Enterprise Grant to provide

technical assistance and training workshops to

area entrepreneurs and managers. As a result

of this funding, local businesses will gain

valuable business planning, management, and

loan making knowledge.

Shane Morrison, owner of the

Celebrity Theatre in Ruston,

Louisiana.

State Director Clyde Holloway

gives his movie tickets to

Stacey Kennedy at Celebrity

Theatre in Ruston, Louisiana.

Celebrity Theatre in Ruston, Louisiana.
USDA Rural Development

Community Programs

Improving the quality of life in

rural Louisiana

USDA Rural Development - 2007 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 fire truck for Cameron Parish Fire District 10.

Clockwise from top right:

Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Theriot

(waving), Junior Firefighter Hunter

Theriot, Fire Chief Tim Dupont, and

District Chairman Jude Primeaux

are excited about Creole Fire

Department’s new mobile command

unit. This unit was funded by a

$300,000

USDA Rural

Development

community

facilities

grant.
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 - 2007 Annual Report

Page11

Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans, Guarantees,

and Grants

Loans 22 $25,635,000

Grants 14 $11,505,249

Total 36 $37,140,249

Grants 3 $788,154

Distance Learning/Telemedicine Grants

Community Facilities Direct Loans, Guarantees,

and Grants

Loans 12 $18,697,000

Guarantees 1 $3,575,000

Grants 47 $8,931,622

Total 60 $31,203,622

Broadband Loans/Community Connect Grants

Loans 2 $42,066,000

Grants 2 $1,030,362

Total 4 $43,096,362

Community Programs

Fiscal Year 2007 Progress

Patti Vincent, Town Clerk, Delcambre, Louisiana,

indicating the standing water line in the town’s police

station after Hurricane Rita.

Glencoe Charter School

students breaking ground

for the new school.

Glencoe Charter School

groundbreaking.

Taking Care of

Community

Needs

Hurricane Recovery

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

devastated many of Louisiana’s coastal

communities. Today, these

communities are coming back––even

better––with assistance from USDA

Rural Development.

Fire Protection Needs

In Cameron Parish, the hurricanes had

deadly impact on first responder

services. USDA Rural Development

provided over $1.6 million in grant

funds to five fire protection districts

for new pumper trucks, fire fighting

equipment, a command post trailer,

ladder trucks, communication

equipment, and an emergency

response system.

Police Department Needs

In Delcambre, Louisiana, flood waters

from the hurricane invaded the town

and destroyed many

buildings––including the police station.

USDA Rural Development provided

$53,000 in grant funds to Delcambre

to renovate the town’s police station.

Education Needs

Population shifts have over-burdened

school systems and hospitals

throughout the hurricane impacted

region. USDA Rural Development

provided $1.8 million in direct loan

funds, $247,000 in grant funds, and 

$1 million in guaranteed loan funds to

construct a new K-4 elementary

school in Glencoe, Louisiana.

Over $68 million was invested

throughout Louisiana during 2007 for

water, waste, and community facilities

projects.
USDA Rural Development - 2007 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