North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

USDA Rural Development North Carolina

2014 Progress Report
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

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

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

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

- President Barack Obama, January 2015.

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

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

Mission Area with investing in rural communities and ensuring rural Americans have the opportunity to 

climb the economic ladder. I am proud to lead a Mission Area dedicated to leveraging the strengths of 

rural areas, building new markets to increase regional competitiveness, and expanding investment opportunities that create prosperous, sustainable communities.

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

Development is making lasting investments in rural communities. The Mission Area has a tremendous set of business, utilities, housing, 

and community development programs designed to ensure that rural Americans have access to safe, affordable homes and community 

facilities, jobs and business capital, and the benefits of drinking water, broadband, electricity and other essential services. 

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

strong federal, state, local, and private sector partnerships. Rural Development is responding to that need with our portfolio of loans, 

loan guarantees, grants, and a network of dedicated field staff that spans more than 400 offices across the country. The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that rural communities are economically strong, sound and sustainable. Through Initiatives such as the 

Strike Force for Rural Growth and Opportunity and Promise Zones, Rural Development is working with partners across USDA and across 

government to ensure federal support is directed to high-need areas, coordinated, and responsive to locally-identified community 

needs. The Interagency Manufacturing Communities Partnership and The Made in Rural America Initiative along with USDA wide efforts 

around the bio economy and Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food build on economic opportunities that rural America is well suited to 

advance including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

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

to see some of them first-hand and to listen to the stories of the people who have become homeowners, accessed the internet, and expanded their businesses because of the investments that USDA Rural Development provided. 

In Brundidge, Alabama I toured the Southern Classic Food Group, a condiment manufacturer that is expanding their business and their 

market share with support from Rural Development. In Winona, Mississippi I announced our investment of $600,000 to seed a revolving 

loan fund for north central Mississippi small businesses, and learned about a mental health center in Greenwood, Mississippi funded by 

our Community Facilities program that is touching thousands of lives every year. These are small improvements that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in rural communities often left behind.

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

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

Since 2009, Rural Development has provided grants and loans to help approximately 89,000 rural small businesses grow, creating or saving more than 420,000 jobs; invested in more than 6,600 critical community projects including hospitals, libraries, schools, and public safety facilities; helped more than 900,000 rural families buy, repair or refinance a home, and provided funding for more than 3,000 multifamily housing developments; invested in new and improved broadband service to nearly 1.5 million rural residents, which expands access 

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

global economy; helped modernize rural electric infrastructure for about 8.5 million rural residents and businesses; and provided grants 

and loans for water and waste-water projects to help safeguard the health of approximately 14.5 million rural residents. 

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

stakeholder and partner organizations. Aside from our commitment solely to rural America, it is this network of staff— in addition to our 

programs that make our Mission Area unique. 

On behalf of USDA Rural Development, I look forward to continuing our mission and supporting investments that create economic prosperity and opportunity for rural Americans in the months and years to come.

Sincerely,

Lisa Mensah

Under Secretary for Rural Development

Rural Development Leadership
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

I would like to share with you the 2014 Progress Report 

which reflects a successful year and highlights our accomplishments throughout North Carolina. I hope you find this 

report useful and informative. 

In accordance with our mission statement - “to increase 

economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all 

rural Americans” - I am proud to say we have invested 

more than $9 billion dollars in North Carolina since October 

2009 and $1.4 billion during 2014.

Each day, Rural Development staff work hard to administer 

and deliver a variety of programs. We are convinced that 

these investments helped to place a “floor” under the real estate market in our State, 

addressed clean water and sewer issues, helped to strengthen and stabilize the overall 

economy and provided essential community facilities such as health clinics, fire and 

police stations, libraries, schools and daycare centers.

Through outreach, leveraging and forging relationships; it is our plan to continue 

“moving the needle” by partnering with our State and local agencies, non-profits, lenders, realtors and others for the good of rural North Carolinians.

Sincerely,

Randall A. Gore, State Director 

USDA Rural Development

North Carolina Rural Development Leadership

MISSION:

To Increase economic 

opportunity and improve 

the quality of life for all 

rural Americans.

Fiscal Year 2014 Investments in North Carolina

Business Programs Community Programs Housing Programs All Others

 $122,706,865 $111,068,698 $1,007,402,195 $184,286,159

 Total: $1,418,048,424
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

About USDA Rural Development

Investing in the Future of Rural 

North Carolina Communities

Rural Development is committed to helping 

strengthen the economy and improve the quality 

of life for rural North Carolinians. Through more 

than 40 programs, we are able to help in many 

ways. Loans, loan guarantees and grants are available to support essential services such as housing, 

water, sewer, electric and communications infrastructure, economic development, health care, 

first responder services and equipment.

We promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit 

unions and community-managed lending pools. 

We offer technical assistance and information to 

help agricultural producers and cooperatives get 

started and improve the effectiveness of their 

operations. We help rural residents buy or rent 

safe, affordable housing and make health and 

safety repairs to their homes. USDA Rural Development has a $210.5 billion portfolio of loans. 

The programs are implemented at the local and 

national level through a network made up of one 

national office, 47 state offices and nearly 450 regional and local offices, as well as a Centralized 

Service Center. 

In North Carolina in 2014, USDA Rural Development invested a total of $1.4 billion for 7,837 

loans and grants.

71%

5 %

3 %

4 % 13%

4 %

 Housing Programs

Business Programs

Community Facilities

Water and

Environmental

Electric and Comm

Infrastructure

Energy
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

Rural Business and Cooperative Programs

USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service offers programs 

to support business development and job training opportunities for rural residents.

Our programs help provide the capital, technical support, 

educational opportunities and entrepreneurial skills that can 

help rural residents start and grow businesses or access jobs 

in agricultural markets and in the bio-based economy. USDA 

and our public and private partners are connecting rural residents to the global economy by:

Supporting business growth and development;

Facilitating sustainable renewable energy development;

Developing regional food systems;

Generating and retaining jobs through recreation and natural resource restoration, conservation and management;

Increasing access to broadband;

Business Programs

Through its Business Programs, Rural Development helps 

provide much-needed capital ion rural areas, often in partnership with private-sector lenders and community-based 

organizations. The capital maybe in the form of loan guarantees, direct loans or grants to individuals, rural businesses, 

cooperatives, farmers and ranchers, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Native American tribes and private companies. 

Cooperative Programs 

USDA’s Cooperative Programs promote the understanding 

and use of the cooperative form of business. Cooperatives 

market and distribute agricultural products and supplies and 

provide other services such as electricity, telecommunications, credit and financial services, housing, food, hardware 

and building supplies.

USDA Rural Development helps rural residents form new 

cooperatives and improve the operations of existing ones 

through education, research, technical assistance, publications and funding.

Renewable Energy

The renewable energy programs, authorized by the Agriculture Act of 2014, offer funding to complete energy audits, 

provide renewable energy development assistance, make 

energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems. We have programs that convert older heating 

sources to cleaner technologies, produce advanced biofuels, 

install solar panels, and build biorefineries. USDA is at the 

forefront of renewable energy financing, with options including grants, guaranteed loans and payments.

Value-Added Producer Grants

Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPGs) support local and 

regional food projects. VAPG’s are an important element of 

USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative, 

which coordinates USDA’s work to support local and regional 

food systems.

Investing in North Carolina’s Rural Communities

In fiscal year 2014, Rural Development invested $122.7 million in North Carolina rural businesses, supporting 122 projects. Business and Cooperative Programs serve North Carolina communities by creating new business, growing production, maintaining jobs, conducting feasibility studies, improving rural energy development, creating professional business 

plans, and increasing revenue for rural business ventures. 

Under Secretary Mensah joined Wilson Value Drug Store as 

they highlighted the opening of the new retail pharmacy in 

downtown Wilson with a Ribbon Cutting. Wilson Value 

Drug was awarded a loan guaranteed through the Business 

& Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. 
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

Rural Housing Programs

USDA’s Rural Housing Service offers a variety of programs to 

build or improve housing and essential community facilities in 

rural areas. We and our partners are working together to 

ensure that rural America continues to be a great place to 

live, work and raise a family.

Single-Family Housing Programs

USDA’s Single-Family Housing Programs provide direct loans 

or loan guarantees to help low- and moderate-income rural 

Americans buy safe, affordable housing in rural areas. USDA 

also offers loans and grants to help rural residents make 

health and safety repairs to homes.

Single-Family Housing Investments

In FY 2014, RHS helped more than 7,100 North Carolina families with modest, low and very low incomes buy or repair 

their homes through its direct and guaranteed single-family 

housing loan programs, including more than 290 low and 

very-low-income borrowers. More than 290 North Carolina 

families received affordable home loans through the SingleFamily Housing Direct Loan Program, which awarded more 

than $39.1 million during the fiscal year. 

In North Carolina 20 families helped to construct their own 

homes through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, one 

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

groups of families work together to build homes for one another, with guidance from a qualified construction supervisor. Their labor helps to reduce the overall cost of each participant’s mortgage loan. The 20 families that participated in 

self-help housing projects in 2014 each built about $20,000 in 

equity in their brand-new homes.

Additionally, 415 rural homeowners in North Carolina were 

able to repair their homes in 2014 through RHS’s SingleFamily Housing Repair Loan and Grant Program. The agency 

provided $1.7 million in grants to help 217 very-low-income, 

elderly rural residents remove health and safety hazards from 

their homes. Through the Guaranteed Single-Family Housing 

Loan Program, RHS guarantees home loans made by privatesector lenders for rural families with moderate incomes. In 

2014, the agency helped 6,383 individuals and families in 

North Carolina became homeowners through the program, 

providing $879.8 million in loan guarantees. North Carolina 

staff also awarded more $98,000 in Housing Preservation 

Grants.

Multi-Family Housing Programs

USDA’s Multi-Family Housing Programs offer loans to provide 

affordable rental housing for very-low-, low- and moderateincome residents, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. 

Funds also may be used to buy and improve land and to provide necessary facilities such as water and waste disposal 

systems. In addition, USDA offers rental assistance to help 

eligible rural residents with their monthly rental costs. 

Multi-Family Housing Investments

USDA’s multi-family housing staff processed and oversaw 

more than 500 rental assistance payments that benefited 

rural residents totaling more than $73.2 million. North Carolina staff also oversaw $12.2 million for preservation and revitalization.

During Homeownership Month June 2014, Deputy Under 

Secretary Kunesh toured the Hendersonville downtown area 

with Noelle McKay, Executive Director Housing Assistance 

Corp., Self Help Housing grantee. One of the highlights of 

the walking tour was the 2014 Bearfootin’ Bears display. The 

Housing Assistance Bearfootin’ Bear, one of 20 bears displayed was part of the annual “Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk 

fundraiser for historic downtown Hendersonville and local 

nonprofits. 
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

Community Facilities Programs

USDA’s Community Facilities direct loans, guaranteed loans and grants are used to finance essential 

facilities in rural areas. Priority for funding is given 

for health care, education and public safety projects 

with a focus on communities that are small and high 

need. 

Community Facilities assistance supports hospitals, 

health care clinics, schools, police and fire stations, 

food banks, community centers and many other 

community-based initiatives. The agency’s Community Facilities program is a key part of Rural Development’s overall community economic development efforts. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has made access 

to quality health care for rural Americans a top priority at USDA. Through the Community Facilities 

program, the agency helped provide health care 

services for nearly 4 million rural residents in FY 

2014 in facilities ranging from mental health clinics 

to hospitals. The agency invested $85 million for 34 

rural mental health care projects in 23 states. 

In North Carolina, during fiscal year 2014, USDA Rural Development invested $51.8 million in rural 

North Carolina through community facilities loans 

and grants. The 34 projects, including funding for 

schools and fire safety equipment, was used to benefit more than 904,262 rural North Carolina residents. 

Community Facilities Programs help build, expand, 

rehabilitate, purchase, and support the development of police and emergency fire stations and 

equipment, museums, child care centers, hospitals, 

clinics, schools, and more. 

Neuse Charter High School, located in Smithfield, 

Johnston County was completed this year. It is 

the first and only free public charter school in the 

county.

Cape Fear Valley Hoke Healthcare located in Raeford, Hoke 

County opened the 41 bed acute care hospital. The hospital 

has three floors, complete with two operating rooms, four 

birthing suites, and a 16 bay ER department. 
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

Rural Utilities Programs 

Rural Utilities Service

USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) administers programs that 

provide much-need infrastructure or infrastructure improvements to rural communities. 

These include water and waste treatment, electric power and 

telecommunications services. All of these services play a critical role in helping to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Utilities programs 

connect rural residents to the global economy by:

 Increasing access to broadband and 21st century telecommunications services; 

 Funding sustainable renewable energy development and 

conservation; 

 Financing reliable and affordable electric systems; 

 Working to integrate electric smart grid technologies; 

 Developing reliable and affordable rural water and 

wastewater systems.

Water and Environmental Programs (WEP)

WEP provides loans, grants and loan guarantees for drinking 

water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and recognized Indian 

tribes may qualify for assistance. WEP also makes grants to 

non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance and 

training to help rural communities with their water, 

wastewater and solid waste problems.

Electric Programs

The Electric Program provides capital and leadership to maintain, expand, upgrade and modernize America’s 

vast rural electric infrastructure. The loans and loan guarantees finance the construction or improvement 

of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities 

in rural areas. The Electric Program also provides funding to 

support demand-side management, energy efficiency and 

conservation programs, and on-and off-grid renewable energy 

systems. Loans are made to cooperatives, corporations, 

states, territories, subdivisions, municipalities, utility districts 

and non-profit organizations.

Telecommunications Programs

The Telecommunications Program improves the quality of life 

in rural America by providing capital for the deployment of 

rural telecommunications infrastructure. USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring that rural areas have access 

to affordable, reliable, advanced telecommunications services 

comparable to those available throughout the rest of the 

United States. With this access, rural America will see improved educational opportunities, health care, safety and 

security and ultimately, higher employment.

Fiscal Year 2014 Results

USDA Rural Development invested $234 million during fiscal 

year 2014 through 49 infrastructure projects to provide reliable and clean drinking water, waste treatment systems, electric power, and telecommunications services in rural communities in North Carolina.

USDA funds are being used for the regional sewer 

system located in Hoke County which will benefit 

over 1,800 users. The project includes a wastewater 

treatment plant, new pump station, reconfiguration 

of existing pump stations, necessary lines and an operations/lab building. 
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

Special Initiatives

StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity

Currently 85 percent of our country's persistent poverty counties are in rural America. Kids growing up in families earning 

twice the poverty threshold are nearly three times as likely as 

other children to have poor health and are more likely to earn 

half as much money in their adult lives.

In 2010, Secretary Vilsack established USDA's StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity to address the specific 

challenges associated with rural poverty. Since 2013, through 

StrikeForce, USDA is leveraging resources and collaborating with 

community organizations, businesses, foundations, universities 

and other groups to support 2,989 projects with $465.4 million 

in investments in rural North Carolina creating, saving and retaining more than 275 jobs in the StrikeForce areas. 

For example, Vance County is considered a food desert where 

more than one in four residents live in poverty. The StrikeForce 

Team - USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA Rural Development (RD), USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and USDA 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) worked with 

growers like Henry Crews. 

Mr. Crews applied for a farm number with FSA and subsequently received an FSA microloan to improve agricultural operations 

on his farm. Crews then worked with NRCS to develop an organic transition plan. He also applied for grant foods through Rural 

Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program to 

purchase the equipment needed to cool and wash produce. 

With all the pieces in place, Crews will make affordable organic 

fruits and vegetables available to the community’s low-income 

residents by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits offered through FNS. USDA assistance is 

helping growers like Crews to improve the availability and 

affordability of fresh produce for low-income residents in Vance 

County.

Alleghany, Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Caswell, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, 

Graham, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jackson, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Nash, Northampton, 

Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Person, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Swain, Tyrrell, Vance,

Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, and Wilson
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

USDA INVESTMENTS IN NC 

PROGRAM AMOUNT AWARDS

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans $47,639,417 19

Business Grants $986,000 13

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants $17,447,500 22

Renewable Energy Loans and Grants $55,863,948 61

Value Added Producer Grants $770,000 7

Home Repair Loans and Grants $2,712,141 415

Single Family Housing Direct Loans $39,166,695 292

Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loans $879,866,812 6,383

Self Help Technical Assistance Grants $183,665 1

Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans $6,237,495 10

Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loans $5,996,267 5

Rental Assistance $73,239,120 501

Water and Waste Direct Loans/Grants $50,070,131 34

Water and Waste Guaranteed Loans $1,760,000 2

Community Facility Direct Loans and Grants $34,993,074 44

Community Facility Guaranteed Loans $16,830,000 4

Electric and Communication Infrastructure Loans 

and Grants

$182,471,078 13

All Others $1,815,081 11

FISCAL YEAR 2014 TOTALS $1,418,048,424 7,837
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY OF PROGRAMSHOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Single F amily H o me Ownership D irect Lo ans

Safe, well-built, affordable homes for rural Americans.

Families and individuals. Buy, build, improve, repair or 

rehabilitate a rural home as the applicant’s permanent residence.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Direct loan. Up to 100% of market value or 

cost. Loan term of 33/38 years. Applicant may be eligible for payment assistance (subsidy) on the loan.

Single F amily H o me Ownership Guaranteed Lo ans

To assist moderate-income applicants(s)/household(s) in buying their homes by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders.

Families and individuals. Purchase new or existing 

home and refinance existing Rural Development guaranteed or direct loans.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Loan guarantee. 30-year, fixed rate. Interest rate 

is negotiated between lender and borrower. Loans up to 100% of market value plus the amount of the up-front guarantee fee being financed.

Single F amily R epair Lo ans and Grants

To help very-low-income applicants remove health and safety hazards or repair their homes.

Families and individuals who currently own their home. 

Repair/replace roof, winterizing, purchase or repair heating system, structural repair, water/sewage connect fees, etc.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Direct loan and grant. Loans up to $20,000 up to 20 

years at 1%. Grants available to very-low-income applicants 62 years or older unable to pay 1% loan.

M utual Self-H elp H o using Grants

Assist lower-income families in building their own homes.

Non-profits and public bodies.

Technical assistance to help small groups of families to build each other’s homes.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Grant. Grant agreement.

R ural R ental H o using D irect Lo ans 

Safe, well-built, affordable rental housing for very-low-income individuals and families.

Individuals, trusts, associations, limited partnerships, for-profit and non-profit entities, Tribes, public bodies.

New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Direct loan. Up to 100% of total 

development cost (nonprofits); 97% (for-profits); 95% (for-profits with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits). 30-year term with up to 50-year amortization. 

R ural R ental H o using Lo an Guarantees

Provides loan guarantees on loans to build or preserve affordable housing for very-low to moderate-income tenants.

For profit and non-profit lenders.

Build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Loan guarantee. At least 25-year term with fixed 

interest rate. Loan guarantees up to 90% of the principal.

H o using P reservatio n Grants

Repair and rehabilitate housing owned or occupied by very-low- and low-income rural families.

Public bodies and nonprofit organizations.

Operation of a program which finances repair and rehabilitation activities for single-family and small rental properties.

Rural areas with populations of up to 35,000.

Grant. Grant agreement.

F arm Labo r H o using Lo ans and Grants

Safe, well-built affordable rental housing for farmworkers.

Individuals, public and private non-profit organizations.

New construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing.

N/A. Direct loan and grant. Up to 102% of total 

development cost. Up to 33 years to repay at 1% interest.

C o mmunity F acilities Lo ans and Grants

Improve, develop, or finance essential community facilities for rural communities.

Public bodies, non-profits, and Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Construct, enlarge or otherwise improve essential community facilities, such as public safety, fire and rescue, telecommunications, schools, libraries, hospitals, other health care facilities, etc. This may include furnishings, fixtures and other required equipment.

City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 20,000 in population. Facilities must primarily serve rural residents.

Direct loan, loan guarantee or grant.

Up to 100% of market value. Term is for useful life of the facility or equipment, the state statute, or 40 years. M aximum grant 75% of project cost. Grant eligibility based on income, population and need.

R ural C o mmunity D evelo pment Initiative

To facilitate housing, community facility and community and economic development projects.

Private non-profit or public organizations, philanthropic foundations, low-income communities.

Technical assistance grants of $50,000 to $300,000 to develop the capacity and ability of the awardees to carry out needed projects.

City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 50,000 in population.

Grant. M atching funds required for 

grant.
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report BUSINESS AND COOPERATIVES

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

B usiness and Industry Lo an Guarantees

Create jobs/stimulate rural economies by providing financial backing for rural businesses.

Lender/Businesses. Real estate, buildings, 

equipment, supplies, working capital, and some debt refinancing.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Loan guarantee. Lender and borrower negotiate 

terms. Up to 30 years for real estate, 15 years for machinery and equipment, and 7 years for working capital.

R ural B usiness Enterprise Grants

Finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging private business enterprises.

Public bodies, private nonprofit corporations and Tribes.

Refinancing, land acquisition, revolving funds, construction, equipment, access streets and roads, utility and service extensions, and rural distance learning networks.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. Amount based on funding 

availability, funding priority and national goals.

Intermediary R elending P ro gram Lo ans 

Establish revolving funds for business facilities and community development projects.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Native American Tribes and cooperatives.

Community development projects, establishment or expansion of businesses, creation or saving of rural jobs.

Rural areas and incorporated places with populations of less than 25,000.

Direct loan. The intermediary makes loans 

to businesses from its revolving loan fund on terms consistent with security offered. Intermediary pays 1% for 30 years.

R ural M icro entrepreneur A ssistance P ro gram

Establish revolving funds to target assistance to small rural enterprises.

M icroenterprise Development Organizations (M DOs).

Loans, technical, and capacitybuilding assistance to businesses with 10 or fewer employees and sole proprietorships.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Loans, grants. Rural microenterprises apply 

directly to the intermediary.

R ural Eco no mic D evelo pment Lo ans and Grants

Finance economic development and job creation in rural areas.

Rural Utilities Servicefinanced electric and telephone utilities. 

Business startups or expansion projects that create rural jobs.

Rural areas with priority to places with populations of 2,500 or less.

Direct loan or grant to establish revolving loan fund.

Intermediary makes loans to for-profit or non-profit businesses and public bodies. Loans are 0% for 10 years.

R ural C o o perative D evelo pment Grants

Establish/operate centers for cooperative development.

Non-profits and institutions of higher education. 

Establish centers to provide technical assistance, training, applied research, and collection and interpretation of data, for the purpose of cooperative development.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas. 

Grant. M inimum 25% fund match (5% 

for 1994 Institutions). Grants awarded competitively.

Small So cially D isadvantaged P ro ducer Grants

Provides funds to eligible cooperatives or an association of cooperatives to provide technical assistance to small, socially disadvantaged producers in rural areas.

Cooperatives and associations of cooperatives whose membership and board of directors is comprised of at least 75% socially disadvantaged agricultural producers.

Technical assistance. All areas, except cities over 

50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. There is no matching requirement.

Value-A dded P ro ducer Grants

Help independent agricultural producers enter into activities that add value to their crops.

Independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, producer groups, majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Feasibility studies, business plans; working capital.

All areas. Grant. Grants are awarded on a 

competitive basis. Funds cannot be used to build facilities or purchase equipment. Funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

R ural B usiness Oppo rtunity Grants

Finance technical assistance for business development planning in rural areas.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Indian Tribes on Federal or State reservations, cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents.

Technical assistance, leadership training, establishment of business support centers, economic development plans.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. M ust be completed within 2 

years after project has begun.
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

BUSINESS AND COOPERATIVES (CONT.)

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

R ural Energy fo r A merica P ro gram (R EA P ) Lo an Guarantees and Grants

Provide assistance for energy efficiency improvements or purchase of a renewable energy system for operations.

Rural small businesses and agricultural producers.

Energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy systems, land acquisition and working capital.

Cities, towns, unincorporated areas with population less than 50,000. (Population limits do not apply to agricultural producers)

Loan guarantee and/or grant.. Grants up to 25% of project 

costs not to exceed $250,000 for energy efficiency projects and $500,000 for renewable energy. Loan guarantees up to 75% of project cost not to exceed $25 million.

R EA P A udit/ D evelo pment Grants

Provide grant to entity to pass through to a small business or agricultural producer for 75% of the cost of an energy audit or renewable energy development assistance.

State, Tribal or local government institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; or public power entities.

$100,000 grant to entities, smaller ones to small business and agricultural producers for 75% of energy audit or renewable energy development assistance.

Cities, towns, unincorporated areas with population less than 50,000.

Grant. $100,000 to entities and up to 

75% of the cost of energy audit for renewable energy development assistance.

B io refinery A ssistance P ro gram Lo an Guarantees

Provide loan guarantees for the development and construction of commercial-scale biorefineries or to retrofit facilities using eligible technology for the development of advanced biofuels.

Individuals, Indian Tribes, State or local governments, corporations, farm cooperatives, associations of agricultural producers, national laboratories, higher learning institutions, rural electric co-ops, public power entities, consortiums of any of the entities.

Loan guarantees to develop and construct commercialscale biorefineries or retrofit facilities to use eligible technology for the development of advanced biofuels.

No restrictions. Loan. 90% (maximum) guarantee on 

loans up to $125 million; 80% (maximum) guarantee on loans less than $150 million; 70% (maximum) guarantee on loans of $150 million but less than $200 million; 60% (maximum) guarantee on loans of $200 million up to $250 million. 

R epo wering A ssistance P ro gram

Provide payments to biorefineries to replace fossil fuels with biomass.

Biorefineries. Grant to biorefineries, 

including ethanol and biodiesel plants that use electricity generated from natural gas and coal and require this for the fermentation process.

No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications submitted to National Office for review.

A dvanced B io fuel P ayment P ro gram

Provide payments to producers of advanced biofuels.

Eligible producers of advanced biofuels.

Grant to producers of advanced biofuels (noncornmercial-based).

No restrictions. Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications submitted to National Office for review. Grant awards determined by National Office.
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report UTILITIES PROGRAMS

Program Objective Applicant Uses Population Loan/Grant Terms/Conditions

Water and Waste 

D ispo sal Lo ans and 

Grants

Provide infrastructure for rural areas. Public entities, Indian 

Tribes and non-profit corporations.

Build, repair and improve public water systems and waste collection and 

treatment systems.

Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Direct loan and grant. Repayment period is a 

maximum of 40 years. Grant funds may be available.

Water and Waste 

D ispo sal Lo an 

Guarantees

Provide infrastructure for rural areas. Public entities, Indian 

Tribes and non-profit corporations.

Construct, repair and improve water supply and distribution systems and waste collection and treatment systems. 

Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Loan guarantee. Eligible lenders obtain up to a 

90% guarantee on loans they make and service.

So lid Waste 

M anagement Grants

Provide technical assistance and/or training to those who operate and maintain active landfills.

Public bodies, private nonprofit organizations, Indian Tribes, academic institutions.

Technical assistance and training to improve landfill conditions and protect against 

threats to nearby water resources.

Rural areas, and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Grant. Applications accepted yearround. Complete applications 

submitted to National Office for review.

T echnical 

A ssistance/ 

T raining/ C ircuit R ider

Provide technical assistance and training.

Public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Provide technical assistance and training to assist with management of water and waste projects.

Rural areas and towns with up to 10,000 population.

Grant. As funds are available. 

Complete applications submitted to National Office for review.

R ural B ro adband 

Lo an and Lo an 

Guarantee

Deployment of broadband service to eligible rural communities.

Entities seeking to provide broadband services in rural areas. Individuals and partnerships not eligible.

Finance the construction, improvement and acquisition of facilities and equipment to 

provide broadband service in eligible rural communities; refinance RD telecommunications program debt.

Any area not located within a city, town or incorporated area over 20,000 

inhabitants; or an urbanized area contiguous to a city or town of greater than 50,000 inhabitants.

Direct loan and loan guarantee. Loans are made at the Treasury 

rate; loan term is the expected economic life of the assets financed; guarantee cannot exceed 80% of the project amount.

Electric and 

T eleco mmunicatio ns 

Lo ans

Assist rural communities in obtaining 

affordable, high-quality electric and telecommunications services.

Non-profit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. 

Generation, transmission facilities and distribution of electric power, including alternative, renewable, conservation and energy 

efficiency programs. Enhance 911 emergency service, digital switching equipment, and fiber optic cable, along with traditional main system telecommunications service.

Electric: areas served by an existing rural electric borrower, or rural areas other than a city or town of more than 20,000. 

Telecommunications: areas cities with population over 5,000.

Direct loan or loan guarantee. Interest rates are established in 

accordance with 7CFR 1714. Contact RUS at www.rd.usda.gov or 1 (800) 670-6553.

D istance Learning 

and T elemedicine

Development and deployment of advanced telecommunication services throughout rural America to improve education and health care.

Incorporated entities, including municipalities, forprofit, and non-profit corporations that operate rural schools, libraries, 

health care clinics and other educational or health care facilities.

To provide end-user equipment and programming that delivers distance learning 

and telemedicine services into eligible areas.

Rural areas outside incorporated or unincorporated cities with 

population over 20,000.

Direct loan and/or grant. M atching funds are required.

C o mmunity C o nnect Provide public access to broadband in 

otherwise un-served communities.

Public bodies, Tribes, cooperatives, non-profits, limited dividend or mutual associations; corporations and other legally organized entities.

To build broadband infrastructure and establish a community center that offers free public access to 

broadband for two years.

A single community outside incorporated or unincorporated cities with population over 20,000 

which does not have broadband.

Grant. M inimum: $50,000; M aximum: 

$1 million. Amounts are published in NOFAs and may vary.
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

UTILITIES PROGRAMS

R ural B usiness Oppo rtunity Grants

Finance technical assistance for business development planning in rural areas.

Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Indian Tribes on Federal or State reservations, cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents.

Technical assistance, leadership training, establishment of business support centers, economic development plans.

All areas except cities over 50,000 and their contiguous urbanized areas.

Grant. M ust be completed within 2 

years after project has begun.

R ural C o mmunity D evelo pment Initiative

To facilitate housing, community facility and community and economic development projects.

Private non-profit or public organizations, philanthropic foundations, low-income communities.

Technical assistance grants of $50,000 to $300,000 to develop the capacity and ability of the awardees to carry out needed projects.

City, town or unincorporated area of not more than 50,000 in population.

Grant. M atching funds required for 

grant.
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report SUMMARY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PURPOSES

Land & Bldgs. Mach. & Equip. Working Capital Infrastructure Tech. Asst./Train.

Rural Housing and Community Facilities ProgramsSingle Family Housing Direct Loans (including Self-Help Loans) ♦Single Family Housing Loan Guarantees ♦Single Family Housing Repair Loans/Grants ♦Rural Rental Housing Direct Loans ♦ ♦Rural Rental Housing Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦Housing Preservation Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Farm Labor Housing Loans/Grants ♦ ♦Community Facilities Direct Loans, Loan Guarantees, Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Community Development Initiative ♦Rural Business and Cooperative ProgramsBusiness and Industry Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Business Enterprise Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Intermediary Relending Loans ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Cooperative Development Grants ♦ ♦Value-Added Producer Grant ♦ ♦ ♦Rural Business Opportunity Grants ♦Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees/Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Biorefinery Assistance Program Loan GuaranteesRepowering Assistance ProgramAdvanced Biofuel Payment ProgramRural Utilities ProgramsWater and Waste Disposal Direct Loans, Loan Guars., Grants ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦Solid Waste Management Grants ♦Rural Broadband Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦Electric and Telecommunications Direct Loans/Loan Guarantees ♦ ♦ ♦Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans/Grants ♦ ♦
North Carolina 2014 Progress Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for 

employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where 

applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental 

status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or 

activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 

activities.)

To File an Employment Complaint

If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact 

your agency’s EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date 

of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html.

To File a Program Complaint

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint 

Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/

complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 

632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your 

completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by 

fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Persons with Disabilities

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint 

please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 

877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, 

please see information above on how to contact us by mail 

directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 

audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

For any other information dealing with Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Number at (800) 221-5689, which 

is also in Spanish or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers.

All Other Inquiries

For any other information not pertaining to civil rights, please 

refer to the listing of the USDA Agencies and Offices for specific 

agency information.

June 2015