January

2004
From the State Director

On the cover:

A USDA Rural Development

Community Facilities Grant and

Louisiana Community Development

Block Grant made this new fire truck

possible for the Village of Cankton,

Louisiana. This fire truck, along with

the Village’s recently-completed water

tower and new fire hydrants, will help

lower the community’s fire rating and

provide much-needed fire protection

services. 

Michael B. Taylor

Table of Contents

About Rural Development . . . . . . .1

From Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Community Programs . . . . . . . . . . .4

Business Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Single Family Housing Programs . . .6

Multi-Family Housing Programs . . .6

Investment in Louisiana . . . . . . . . . .8

Contact Our Offices . . . . . . . . . . . .9

“From public safety and health to housing

and jobs, USDA Rural Development's

financial programs are far-reaching and

life-changing.”

January 2004

Dear Readers,

I am pleased to share USDA Rural Development's 2003 Annual Report for Louisiana. Within

the pages of this report you will find information on federal dollars invested in rural housing,

business, and community projects. However, I challenge you to look beyond the dollars to

the lives impacted. For every project dollar you see invested, you will find hundreds, if not

thousands, of Louisiana's rural residents benefiting from new or improved water and waste

systems, new businesses, new jobs, improved housing opportunities, and essential

community facilities.

USDA Rural Development strives to improve the quality of life for rural families–and we are

succeeding in Louisiana! During President George W. Bush's administration, USDA Rural

Development has utilized more than $702 million to improve the quality of life for more

than 160,000 rural families in Louisiana. During Fiscal Year 2003, over $223 million was

invested in Louisiana: 

• $141 million to provide safe, decent, sanitary homes for rural families through single

family housing and rural rental housing.

• $45 million to provide rural families and businesses with new or improved water

systems, waste collection and treatment systems, and to provide rural communities

with essential facilities, such as fire and rescue equipment, schools, hospitals, and

libraries.

• $37.7 million to create jobs and stimulate rural economies by providing financial backing

for rural businesses.

From public safety and health to housing and jobs, USDA Rural Development's financial

programs are far-reaching and life-changing. I invite you to review the pages of this report

and see how USDA Rural Development is improving the quality of life in Louisiana.

Sincerely,

Michael B. Taylor

State Director

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana
Land and 

Building

Machinery 

and 

Equipment

Working 

Capital Infrastructure

Training 

and/or 

Technical 

Assistance

Section 502 - Direct Loan

Section 502 - Guaranteed Loan

Section 504 - Loan/Grant

Rural Rental Housing - Guaranteed Loan  

Rural Rental Housing - Direct Loan  

Farm Labor Housing - Loan/Grant  

Housing Preservation Grant   

Business and Industry - Guaranteed Loan  

Rural Business Enterprise Grant   

Intermediary Relending Loan  

Rural Business Opportunity Grant

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant   

Water and Sewer - Loan/Grant  

Water and Sewer - Guaranteed Loan  

Solid Waste Management Grant

Distance Learning and Telecommunications Loan/Grant  

Technical Assistance and Training Grant

Community Facilities - Direct Loan/Grant 

Community Facilities - Guaranteed Loan 

Housing Programs

Business Programs

Community Programs

About Rural Development

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report 1

Community Programs provide

loans and grants and loan guarantees for

water and environmental projects, as well as

community facilities projects. Water and

environmental projects include water

systems, waste systems, solid waste, and

storm drainage facilities. Community facilities

projects develop essential community facilities

for public use in rural areas and may include

hospitals, fire protection, safety, as well as

many other community-based initiatives.

Business Programs help create jobs

and stimulate rural economies by providing

financial backing for rural businesses. Loans,

grants, and loan guarantees are available to

any legally-organized entity, including

cooperatives, partnerships, profit or nonprofit entities, Indian tribes or federallyrecognized tribal groups, and municipalities.

In addition, a wide range of technical

assistance is provided to cooperatives and

people interested in forming new

cooperatives.

Single Family Housing

Programs provide homeownership

opportunities to low and moderate-income

rural Americans through several loan, grant,

and loan guarantee programs. The programs

also make funding available to individuals to

finance vital improvements necessary to make

their homes decent, safe, and sanitary.

Multi-Family Housing

Programs offer Rural Rental Housing

Loans to provide affordable multi-family

rental housing for very low-, low-, and

moderate-income families; the elderly; and

persons with disabilities. This is primarily a

direct mortgage program, but funds may also

be used to buy and improve land and to

provide necessary facilities such as water and

waste disposal systems. In addition, deep

subsidy rental assistance is available to eligible

families.

USDA Rural Development could

build a community from 

the ground up!

Summary of 

Program Purposes
Secretary’s Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture

2 USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report

The Bush Administration has made great strides in supporting

investments in America's rural communities. From the

successful implementation to the 2002 Farm Bill to passage of

the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, President Bush's policies are

helping strengthen the economic health of rural America. 

In 2003, we saw record net cash farm income, which is

expected to total $65 million, up 33 percent over 2002, and

strong exports, which are expected to reach $56.2 billion for

2003. The demand for farm products is being spurred by the

President's tax cuts, low interests rates and inflation, and decline

in the value of the dollar. Expanding payrolls and declining

unemployment in the coming year are expected to further

accelerate food demand. 

Also fueling this growth are the programs being implemented by

USDA's Rural Development. Through USDA's Rural Development programs, it is estimated

that over 510,000 jobs have been created or saved since the beginning of the Bush

Administration. USDA has invested nearly $2.5 billion for rural business development in the

form of loans, grants, and technical assistance. 

We are also working with local communities to build and strengthen economic development

partnerships with state and local governments. Some $183 million has been invested in

Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs). This investment is

complemented by the leveraging of USDA funds to help attract $422 million in other federal

investments and $739 million in non-federal investments to EZ/ECs and other supported

communities. 

To improve economic and community development opportunities in underserved rural areas,

the Administration has entered into agreements with 20 National Centers of Excellence and

Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advance business development through

improved information technologies and entrepreneurial skills training. 

Major investments have been made in developing value-added industries, with a focus on

promoting renewable energy. Over $35 million has been provided to support the

development and marketing of renewable energy and the creation of energy efficient systems

in rural areas. 

Rural infrastructure, such as education, health care, telecommunications, water treatment, and

community facilities, has been supported by more than $13 billion in grants and loans. More

than $10.2 billion has been invested in rural housing, much of which supports the President's

ambitious goal to increase minority homeownership by 5.5 million by 2010.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to ensuring that investments in rural Louisiana

continue to bring new economic opportunities and an improved quality of life to rural families

and communities. 

Ann M. Veneman

Secretary

United States Department of Agriculture

“As we look to

the future, we

remain dedicated

to ensuring that

investments in

rural Louisiana

continue to bring

new economic

opportunities and

an improved

quality of life to

rural families and

communities.”

Ann M. Veneman

Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Secretary

United States Department of Agriculture

Washington, DC
USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report 3

Citizens and community leaders throughout rural America

share a common desire to bring economic opportunity

and an improved quality of life to their community. There

is a remarkable cohesiveness amongst rural citizens that

allows the energy and enthusiasm of local citizens to

harness the resources needed to bring solutions to

economic and social issues facing their community. 

As rural America's venture capital bank, USDA Rural

Development seeks to support local efforts by providing

financing to create housing, business development,

technology and community infrastructure, and essential

community facilities. Over the last year, the Bush

Administration, through USDA Rural Development, has

provided over $13 billion in capital financing to assist rural

citizens and communities invest in their future. 

USDA Rural Development capital investments in FY 2003

include: assisting over 43,000 families realize their dream

of homeownership; assisting over 100 rural agri-businesses

with financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy

systems that support energy independence for America

and that support President Bush's national energy plan;

assisting with the financing of over 12,000 business

ventures to create or save nearly 90,000 jobs; and assisting

with the financing of community infrastructure and

facilities that will benefit an estimated 7 million rural

citizens. In total, over 350,000 jobs are expected to be

created or saved as a result of the financing provided by

USDA Rural Development.

USDA Rural Development has a dedicated team of

professionals with over 40 financial and technical assistance

programs available to assist rural communities improve

their economic opportunities and quality of life. 

I encourage you to contact our staff in Louisiana to learn

more about ways that USDA Rural Development can be of

assistance to you and your community. 

Gilbert Gonzalez

Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

“USDA Rural

Development has

a dedicated team

of professionals

with over 40

financial and

technical

assistance

programs available

to assist rural

communities

improve their

economic

opportunities and

an improved

quality of life.“

Gilbert Gonzalez

Acting Under Secretary for

Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

Washington, DC

Under Secretary’s Report
Businesses

Jobs

Community and

Economic

Development

Water and

Waste Systems

Community 

Facilities

Essential

Community Systems

and Services

Fiscal Year 2003

During Fiscal Year 2003, Community

Programs provided financial resources to

assist 72 rural communities/organizations in

Louisiana provide essential services to their

citizens. In addition, $3,364,962 in leveraged

funds were provided to these same rural

communities, benefiting over 49,795 rural

families in Louisiana.

During Fiscal Year 2003, eight Business and

Industry Loans were approved, seven Rural

Business Enterprise Grants were awarded,

one Intermediary Relending Program was

funded, and one Armament Retooling and

Manufacturing Support Program loan was

awarded. As a result of Rural Development

Business Programs, 352 jobs were created,

and 669 jobs were saved.

Programs

4 USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report

Community 

Business

Community Programs

provide loans and grants and

loan guarantees for water and

environmental projects, as well

as community facilities projects.

Water and environmental

projects include water systems,

waste systems, solid waste, and

storm drainage facilities.

Community facilities projects

develop essential community

facilities for public use in rural

areas and may include hospitals,

fire protection, safety, as well as

many other community-based

initiatives.

Business Programs help

create jobs and stimulate rural

economies by providing

financial backing for rural

businesses. Loans, grants, and

loan guarantees are available to

any legally-organized entity,

including cooperatives,

partnerships, profit or nonprofit entities, Indian tribes or

federally-recognized tribal

groups, and municipalities. In

addition, a wide range of

technical assistance is provided

to cooperatives and people

interested in forming new

cooperatives.

Fiscal Year 2003
USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report 5

During Fiscal Year 2003, USDA Rural

Development invested $44,933,159 in loans and

grants in rural areas of Louisiana through

Community Programs.

Almost $45 million invested in

rural Louisiana through

Community Programs

During Fiscal Year 2003, USDA Rural

Development invested $37,772,580 in loans and

grants in rural areas of Louisiana through

Business Programs.

Almost $38 million invested in

rural Louisiana through

Business Programs

Business-Cooperative Services

$19,785,580

$16,500,000

$750,000

$737,000

Total $37,772,580

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans

ARMS*

Intermediary Relending Program

Rural Business Enterprise Grant

*Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support Program

Water and Waste

Loans 23 Loans $20,594,600

Grants 16 Grants $13,332,307

Total 24 Projects $33,926,907

Solid Waste Management

Grants 1 Grant $100,000

Distance Learning and Telemedicine

Grants 1 Grant $262,000

Community Connect Broadband

Grants 3 Grants $1,021,668

Community Facilities

Loans 13 Loans $6,536,470

Loan Guarantees 2 Loan Guarantees $1,653,220

Grants 35 Grants $1,432,894

Total 42 Projects $9,622,584
Rental Housing

Deep Subsidy

Rental Assistance

Housing Repairs

Affordable

Multi-Family 

Rental Housing

New Homes

Home Refinancing

Home

Improvements

Decent, Safe, 

Sanitary Housing

Single Family Housing 

Multi-Family Housing 

Programs

6 USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report

Single Family Housing

Programs provide

homeownership opportunities

to low and moderate-income

rural Americans through

several loan, grant, and loan

guarantee programs. The

programs also make funding

available to individuals to

finance vital improvements

necessary to make their homes

decent, safe, and sanitary.

Multi-Family Housing

Programs offer Rural Rental

Housing Loans to provide

affordable multi-family rental

housing for very low-, low-, and

moderate-income families; the

elderly; and persons with

disabilities. This is primarily a

direct mortgage program, but

funds may also be used to buy

and improve land and to provide

necessary facilities such as water

and waste disposal systems. In

addition, deep subsidy rental

assistance is available to eligible

families.

During Fiscal Year 2003, Single Family

Housing Programs provided new housing

opportunities to 1,264 families, refinancing at

lower interest rates to 28 families, and home

improvement loans/grants to 252

homeowners. In addition, through the direct

program, funds were leveraged with other

lenders; thus, securing funds in the amount of

$2,326,044. This resulted in Rural

Development assisting 33 additional families.

Of the 334 direct loans, 127 loans, or 38.2

percent, were leveraged.

During Fiscal Year 2003, Multi-Family

Housing Programs assisted 1,572 family and

elderly households; rehabilitated four multifamily properties utilizing $4,210,132 in direct

loan funds; utilized $536,537 to assist in

repairs of 70 single family dwellings; and

provided $22,100,848 in deep subsidy rental

assistance to 1,269 households.

Fiscal Year 2003

Fiscal Year 2003
USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report 7

Section 502 Direct Programs

Very Low Income 193 Loans $13,302,971

Low Income 141 Loans $10,665,210

Total 334 Loans $23,968,181

Section 504 Direct Loan/Grant Programs

504 Loans 120 Loans $876,107

504 Grants 132 Grants $801,979

Total 252 Loans and Grants $1,678,086

Section 502 Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program

GRH Purchase 930 Loans $85,837,846

GRH Refinance 28 Loans $2,606,254

Total 958 Loans $88,444,100

During Fiscal Year 2003, USDA Rural

Development invested $114,090,367 in housing

loans and grants in rural areas of Louisiana

through Single Family Housing Programs.

Over $114 million invested in

rural Louisiana through

Single Family Housing Programs

During Fiscal Year 2003, USDA Rural

Development invested $26,847,517 in rural

rental housing loans, deep subsidy rental

assistance, and single family housing repairs in

rural areas of Louisiana through Multi-Family

Housing Programs.

Almost $27 million invested in

rural Louisiana through 

Multi-Family Housing Programs

Section 515 Rural Rental Housing

Rehabilitation 233 Units $4,210,132

Section 521 Rental Assistance

Family 622 Units $12,733,584

Elderly 389 Units $6,343,423

Servicing 258 Units $3,023,841

Total 1,269 Units $22,100,848

Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants

Repairs 70 Homes $536,537
2003 Investment in Louisiana

8 USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report

FY 2003 Investment

Responding to Needs

Improving Quality of Life

Increasing Economic Opportunity

Community

Programs $44,933,159

Business 

Programs $37,772,580

Single Family

Housing

Programs

$114,090,367

Multi-Family

Housing

Programs

$26,847,517

Total FY 2003

Investment in

Rural Louisiana

$223,643,623

Almost $224 million invested in rural

Louisiana during Fiscal Year 2003.

USDA Rural Development

Louisiana

Businesses

Land

Equipment

Working Capital

Homes 

Roads

Waste Water 

Drinking Water

Home Repairs

Economic Development

Apartments

Grocery Stores

Town Halls

Water Wells

Revolving Loan Funds

Community Centers

Police Cars

Recycling Programs

Home Repairs

Home Refinancing

Rental Assistance

Handicap Accessibility

Self Help Housing

Industry

Technical Assistance

Sewage Treatment Plants

Water Lines

Broadband

Telemedicine

Distance Learning

Fire Trucks

Fire Stations

Police Stations

Jobs Saved 

Jobs Created

Elderly Housing 

Family Housing 

Farm Worker Housing

Hospitals 

Fire Protection

911 System

Housing Preservation

Training

Manufacturing

Day Care Facilities

Business Expansion

Value-Added

Cooperatives

Renovations 

Wellness Centers 

Parking Lots

Computers

Assisted Care Facility 

Book Mobiles 

Water Towers

Schools 

Generators 

Municipal Facilities

Electricity 

Telephones

Healthcare

Business Incubators

Fire Fighter Equipment

Industrial Parks
Contact Our Offices

Monroe Area Office - Area I

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 - Area II

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 - Area III

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

Vermilion

Amite Area Office - Area IV

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, Pointe

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

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

Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge,

and West Feliciana

Area II

Natchitoches

Area Office

Area I

Monroe 

Area Office

Area III

Lafayette

Area Office

Area IV

Amite

Area Office

Visit our webpage at: Offices

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

USDA Rural Development - Louisiana’s 2003 Annual Report 9

Rural Development was

created in 1994 when rural

economic and community

development programs that had

been administered among various

USDA agencies were forged into

a more responsive delivery

system. With this action, the

Farmers Home Administration,

Rural Development

Administration, Rural

Electrification Administration and

Agricultural Cooperative Service

passed into history, but their

tradition of service to America is

being carried on by USDA Rural

Development.

Rural America is full of promise.

USDA Rural Development

is helping fulfill the 

promise.

USDA

Rural

Development

• Increasing

Economic

Opportunity in

Rural America

• Improving the

Quality of Life in

Rural America

• Being Responsive

to Customer’s

Needs

Acadia

Allen

Ascension 

Assumption 

Avoyelles 

Beauregard 

Bienville 

Bossier 

Caddo 

Calcasieu 

Caldwell 

Cameron 

Catahoula 

Claiborne 

Concordia 

DeSoto 

East Baton Rouge 

East Carroll 

East Feliciana 

Evangeline 

Franklin 

Grant 

Iberia 

Iberville 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson Davis 

Lafayette 

Lafourche 

LaSalle 

Lincoln 

Livingston 

Madison 

Morehouse 

Natchitoches 

Orleans 

Ouachita 

Plaquemines 

Pointe Coupee 

Rapides 

Red River 

Richland 

Sabine 

St. Bernard 

St. Charles 

St. Helena 

St. James 

St. John the Baptist 

St. Landry 

St. Martin 

St. Mary 

St. Tammany 

Tangipahoa 

Tensas 

Terrebonne 

Union 

Vermilion 

Vernon 

Washington 

Webster 

West Baton Rouge 

West Carroll 

West Feliciana 

Winn 
For more information on this

report, contact:

Michael B. Taylor

State Director

USDA Rural Development

3727 Government Street

Alexandria, Louisiana 71302

Telephone: (318) 473-7921

Fax: (318) 473-7661

e-mail: michael.taylor@la.usda.gov

TDD/TTY (318) 473-7655 

For more information on the programs available through

USDA Rural Development, please visit our webpage at:

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on

the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or

marital or family status. (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, Room 326-W, Whitten

Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or

TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity lender, provider, and employer.

USDA

Rural

Development