[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 121 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30264-30268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14953]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 121 / Thursday, June 25, 2009 / 
Notices

[[Page 30264]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service


Notice of Funds Availability Under the Consolidated Security, 
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
and Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are administered 
through USDA Rural Development (RD). This Notice announces the 
availability of disaster assistance pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title I of 
Division B of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and 
Continuing Appropriations Act 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329) (September 30, 
2008).

DATES: Unless otherwise specified in this Notice, applications will be 
accepted on a rolling basis.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance, or that are in 
need of further information, should contact the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the state where the project is located. A list of the 
USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses and telephone numbers 
are as follows:

    Note:  Telephone numbers are not toll-free.

Alabama

Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-
3683, (334) 279-3400/TDD (334) 279-3495.

Alaska

USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, 
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7705/TDD (907) 761-8905.

Arizona

USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st Ave., Suite 206, 
Phoenix, AZ 85003, (602) 280-8701/TDD (602) 280-8705.

Arkansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3200/TDD (501) 301-3279.

California

USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, <greek-i> 4169, 
Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800/TDD (530) 792-5848.

Colorado

USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, 
Lakewood, CO 80215, (720) 544-2903/TDD (720) 544-2976.

Connecticut

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, 
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.

Delaware-Maryland

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3580/TDD (302) 857-3585.

Florida

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-3499.

Georgia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. 
Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162/TDD (706) 546-
2034.

Hawaii

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8380/TDD (808) 933-8321.

Idaho

USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, 
Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5600/TDD (208) 378-5644.

Illinois

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, 
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6240.

Indiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290-3100/TDD (317) 290-3343.

Iowa

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4663/TDD (515) 284-4858.

Kansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 S.W. First American Place, 
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2700/TDD (785) 271-2767.

Kentucky

USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, 
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7422.

Louisiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7921/TDD (318) 473-7655.

Maine

USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. 
Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9160/TDD (207) 942-7331.

Massachusetts

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, 
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.

Michigan

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, 
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5190/TDD (517) 324-5169.

Minnesota

USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. 
Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800/TDD (651) 602-3799.

[[Page 30265]]

Mississippi

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 
W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316/TDD (601) 965-
5850.

Missouri

USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade 
Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0976/TDD (573) 876-
9480.

Montana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Boulevard, Suite B, 
P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-2580/TDD (406) 585-2562.

Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5551/TDD (402) 437-
5093.

Nevada

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703-5146, (775) 887-1222/TDD (775) 885-0633.

New Hampshire

USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main 
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000/TDD (802) 223-6365.

New Jersey

USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor 
North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7700/TDD (856) 787-
7784.

New Mexico

USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE, Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4938.

New York

USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 
South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-
6400/TDD (315) 477-6447.

North Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000/TDD (919) 873-2003.

North Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 
East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037/TDD 
(701) 530-2113.

Ohio

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 
North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400/TDD (614) 
255-2554.

Oklahoma

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, 
OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000/TDD (405) 742-1007.

Oregon

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, 
Portland, OR 97232, (503) 414-3300/TDD (503) 414-3387.

Pennsylvania

USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, 
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299/TDD (717) 237-2261.

Puerto Rico

USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos 
Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095/TDD (787) 766-
5332.

Rhode Island

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, 
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.

South Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 765-5163/TDD 
(803) 765-5697.

South Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 
Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 352-1147.

Tennessee

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, 
Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300.

Texas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 
South Main, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9712.

Utah

USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, 
(801) 524-4320/TDD (801) 524-3309.

Vermont

USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main 
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000/TDD (802) 223-6365.

Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238, 
Richmond, VA 23229-5014, (804) 287-1550/TDD (804) 287-1753.

Washington

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., 
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7740/TDD (360) 704-7760.

Virgin Islands

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-3499.

West Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 75 High Street, Room 320, 
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860/TDD (304) 284-4836.

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens 
Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7614.

Wyoming

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 
1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 233-6700/TDD (307) 
233-6733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information and application 
assistance contact the appropriate Rural Development State Office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
    For information regarding Housing and Community Facilities 
Programs, contact: Community Facilities, Anita Outen, Loan Specialist, 
at 202-720-1497, or Susan Woolard, Loan Specialist, at 202-720-1506; 
Multi-Family Housing Programs, Henry Searcy, Financial and Loan 
Specialist, at 202-720-1753; Single Family program, Myron Wooden, Loan 
Specialist, at 202-720-4780.
    For further information regarding Business Programs, contact: Fred 
Kieferle, Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program, at 202-
720-7818, e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1b7a3b4b5ffbab8b4b7b4a3bdb491a6b5b2ffa4a2b5b0ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8fe9fdeaeba1e4e6eae9eafde3eacff8ebeca1fafcebeea1e8e0f9">[email protected]</span></a>, Cindy Mason, Rural 
Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG), at 202-690-1433, e-mail: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#52313b3c362b7c3f33213d3c122536317c272136337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33505a5d574a1d5e52405c5d734457501d464057521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>.
    For information regarding Water and Environmental Programs' Direct 
Loan,

[[Page 30266]]

Guaranteed Loan, and Grant programs, contact: Gayle Auman, Loan 
Specialist, at 334-279-3620, e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83e4e2faefe6ade2f6eee2edc3f4e7e0adf6f0e7e2ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f080e16030a410e1a020e012f180b0c411a1c0b0e41080019">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The Rural Development Mission Area agencies (RHS, RUS, 
and RBS of the United States Department of Agriculture) provide a wide 
variety of grant, loan, and loan guarantee assistance to rural 
residents, rural communities, and rural utility systems. The 
eligibility criteria for each of the programs differ widely.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the information collection requirements contained in this 
Notice are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
OMB Control Numbers 0575-0172, 0575-0173, 0570-0174, 0575-0189, 0570-
0017, 0570-0022, and 0570-0121.
    Application Procedure: Unless otherwise specified in this Notice, 
the application procedure for assistance under this Notice is the same 
as the regular application procedure for the particular program for 
which financial assistance is requested.

I. Disaster Assistance Funds

A. Affected Programs

    The following programs are subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials, pursuant to 7 CFR 3015.302, as a covered program. 
These programs or activities are listed in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) under Numbers:

10.438 Section 538 Guaranteed Multi-family Housing Loans
10.447 Multi-family Revitalization
10.448 Rural Housing Voucher Program
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants
10.410 Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
10.768 Business and Industry
10.769 Rural Business Enterprise Grants
10.760 Water and Waste Direct Loans

B. Description of Assistance

    Chapter 1 of Title I of Division B of the Consolidated Security, 
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, (the 
``Act'') Public Law 110-329 enables USDA Rural Development to provide: 
(1) $150 million for the cost of assistance to areas affected by 
hurricanes, floods, and natural disasters occurring in calendar year 
2008 that have been declared a major disaster by the President under 
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq., and (2) $38 million 
for single and multi-family housing assistance to areas affected by 
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Pursuant to section 10101(c) of the Act, 
the Secretary of Agriculture may waive any limits on population, 
income, or cost-sharing otherwise applicable to a project or activity. 
To the extent the Secretary has authorized such waiver(s) with respect 
to funds for a program covered by this NOFA, such waiver is indicated 
in connection with each program area of this NOFA.

C. Designated Disaster Area

    For the purposes of this Notice, the designated disaster area shall 
be those areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural 
disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 for which a disaster was 
declared by the President under Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5121, 
et seq. (Stafford Act) and areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and 
Rita.
    Projects located in the identified counties on the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map for these disasters will be 
eligible for funding. The FEMA Web site, http://www.fema.gov, lists 
Major and Emergency Disaster Declarations by year and by State. All of 
these disaster areas were declared by the President or the Secretary of 
Agriculture, but only Major Disaster Declarations (i.e., those declared 
by the President) are eligible for the funds covered by this NOFA. 
Individual and public assistance may be provided in eligible areas.
1. Community Facilities (CF) Programs
    USDA Rural Development will provide CF Direct Loan funds, CF 
Guaranteed Loan funds and CF Grant funds for essential community 
facilities in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other 
natural disasters which occurred during calendar year 2008 as follows:

CF Direct Loan Funds: $169,580,420
CF Guaranteed Loan Funds: $157,467,532
CF Grant Funds: $24,250,000

The CF Guaranteed and Direct Loan and Grant Programs are designed to 
finance and facilitate the development of essential community 
facilities serving rural areas. These facilities include, but are not 
limited to, hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care facilities, police 
stations and vehicles, fire and rescue stations and vehicles, 
vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational 
facilities. Funds under this Notice can be used to construct, enlarge, 
or improve community facilities for health, public safety, and 
education. This may include the purchase of equipment or furnishings 
required for a facility's operation.
    Waiver. CF Grants can be made without regard to graduated funding 
or matching funds requirements. CF Grant funds can be used for up to 75 
percent of the cost to develop the facility.
    General Provisions. The Act enables the Secretary of Agriculture to 
make grants to recipients that may have challenges in making loan 
payments. Rural Development has determined that it will review and make 
awards under this NOFA as applications are received. Applications will 
be reviewed, approved, and obligated in the State Rural Development 
Office.
    Eligibility Requirements. Public entities such as municipalities, 
counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as nonprofit 
corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and 
federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas 
with a population of 20,000 or less are eligible to apply.
    Priority. Priority will be provided in accordance with established 
program priorities and performance measures. The applicant's financial 
statements will be analyzed by Rural Development staff to determine the 
percentage of guaranteed loan funds, direct loans, and grant funds 
required for project feasibility.
    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority. Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act, Section 306 (7 U.S.C. 1926(a) (1) and (19)); 
and, to the extent not waived by this Notice, 7 CFR Part 3570, Subpart 
B, Community Facilities Grant Program, 7 CFR Part 3575, Subpart A, 
Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program; 7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart 
A, Community Facilities Direct Loan Program; and 7 CFR Part 1942, 
Subpart C, Fire and Rescue Loans.
2. Single Family Housing Programs
    General. USDA Rural Development will provide SFH program funds in 
rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters 
occurring during calendar years 2008 and areas affected by hurricanes 
Katrina and Rita.
    This Notice provides SFH disaster allocations for FY 2009. 
Allocation computations have been made in accordance with 7 CFR 
1940.563 through 1940.568.
    Disaster Act Authorization. The Disaster Act authorizes SFH to 
provide

[[Page 30267]]

grants, loans and loan guarantees to eligible applicants in rural areas 
affected by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring 
during 2008 for which the President has declared a major disaster under 
title IV of the Robert. T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act of 1974 and areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and 
Rita.
    Funding is available as follows:

     Disaster Funds

(1) Section 502 SFH Direct Loans
    Hurricanes Supplemental (Katrina/Rita): $116,025,531
    2008 Disaster Emergency Supplemental: $433,035,714
(2) Section 504 Direct Housing Repair Loans
    Section 504 Housing Repair Loans 2005 Hurricanes: $504,329
 (3) Section 504 Grants
    Section 504 Housing Repair Grants 2005 Hurricanes: $15,152,777
    Section 504 Housing Repair Grants 2008 Disaster: $4,850,000
(4) Section 502 Guaranteed Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Section 502 Guaranteed Purchase 2005 Disaster Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Purchase--Amount Available for 2005 Disaster Allocation
    Total Available--Purchase: $1,278,411,582
    Less National Office General Reserve: $240,179,009
    Allocation to the States: $1,038,232,573

    General Reserve. The National Office will maintain a general 
reserve. These funds will be available to states that exhaust their 
allocations.

Section 502 Guaranteed Purchase 2008 Disaster Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Purchase--Amount Available for 2008 Disaster Allocation
    Total Available--Purchase: $1,069,291,339
    Less National Office General Reserve: $534,646,340
    Allocation to the States: $534,644,999

    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority
    <bullet> The Housing Act of 1949 as amended.
    <bullet> RD Instruction 1980-D (Guaranteed).
    <bullet> 7 CFR Part 3550 (Direct).
    <bullet> 7 CFR 1940.563 through 1940.568
    Further Information. All SFH programs are administered through 
field offices. For more information or to make application, please 
contact the Rural Development office servicing your area as listed in 
the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
3. Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Program
    MFH Program funding will be available to build or repair projects 
located in designated disaster areas or protect tenants in projects in 
designated disaster areas that leave the Section 515 program through 
prepayment or foreclosure. Initial MFH loan and grant disaster funding 
levels for FY 2009 expressed as budget authority are as follows:

    Section 515 Direct Loans: $747,911
    MFH Revitalization (MPR)--Budget Authority: $5,820,000
    Section 538 Guaranteed MFH: $12,372,449
    Rural Housing Vouchers: $1,940,000

    Budget authority funding levels may be adjusted depending on demand 
for funding in each of the MFH program areas. All funds will be held in 
the National Office and will be distributed either using the 
application selection processes under applicable FY 2009 funding 
notices, or through the Administrator's direction. The applicable 
notices include the Notice of Funding Availability for the Section 515 
Rural Rental Housing Program for New Construction in Fiscal Year 2009, 
published on April 29, 2009, the Notice of Solicitation of 
Applications: Section 514, 515 and 516 Multi-Family Housing 
Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) for Fiscal Year 2009 [74 FR 
19505], published on April 29, 2009 [74 FR 19513]; the Notice of 
Funding Availability: Rural Development Voucher Program, published on 
April 29, 2009 [74 FR 19510] and the Notice for the Request for 
Proposals for Loan Guarantees under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural 
Rental Housing Program (GRHHP) for Fiscal Year 2009, published on 
January 21, 2009 [74 FR 3551].
    A complete description of each of the Multi-Family Housing 
Programs, which includes general provisions, assistance available, 
eligibility requirements, and selection criteria is available in the FY 
2009 funding notices identified above.
    Dates. Applications for MPR and Section 515 new construction are 
due by June 29, 2009.
    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority. Sections 514, 515, 
516, and 538 multi-family housing programs are authorized by the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec.1484, 1485, 1486, 1490p-
2) and provide Rural Development with the authority to make loans for 
low-income multi-family housing and farm labor housing and related 
facilities. The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L. 
110-161), December 26, 2007, the Consolidated Security Disaster 
Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329) 
(September 30, 2008). The Rural Development Voucher Program is 
authorized under Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended 
(without regard to Section 542 (b)).
4. Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program
    USDA Rural Development will provide B&I Guaranteed Loan funds to 
assist businesses in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and 
other natural disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 as follows:

B&I Guaranteed Loan Funds 2008 Disasters: $445,977,011

    B&I Guaranteed Loan Program is to improve, develop, or finance 
business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and 
environmental climate in rural communities. This purpose is achieved by 
bolstering the existing private credit structure through the guarantee 
of quality loans which will provide lasting community benefits.
    Eligibility Requirements. A borrower may be a cooperative 
organization, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity organized 
and operated on a profit or nonprofit basis; an Indian tribe on a 
Federal or State reservation or other federally recognized tribal 
group; a public body; or an individual. B&I loans are normally 
available in rural areas, which include all areas other than cities or 
towns of more than 50,000 people and the contiguous and adjacent 
urbanized area of such cities or towns.
    Loan purposes must be consistent with the general purpose contained 
in the regulation, and include business acquisition; the purchase and/
or development of land, buildings, leasehold improvements; purchase of 
machinery, equipment; supplies, and inventory; and debt refinancing.
    The total amount of Agency loans to one borrower generally must not 
exceed $25 million. Loans up to $40 million may be authorized for rural 
cooperative organizations that process value-added agricultural 
commodities. The interest rate for the guaranteed loan will be 
negotiated between the lender and the applicant. Collateral must have 
documented value sufficient to protect the interest of the lender and 
the Agency.
    Priority. Funds are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.

[[Page 30268]]

<bullet> Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B (7 
U.S.C. 1932)
<bullet> 7 CFR Part 4279, Subparts A and B
<bullet> Part 4287, Subpart B. Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan 
Program.
5. Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program
    USDA Rural Development will provide disaster designated RBEG grant 
funds for rural disaster recovery projects that finance and facilitate 
development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance 
learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education 
programs in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other 
natural disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 as follow:

RBEG 2008 disaster funds: $4,850,000

    To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array 
of activities, and may include acquisition, development, and/or 
renovation of real estate; purchase of machinery and equipment; 
capitalization of revolving loan funds; training; and technical 
assistance. Eligible activities are delineated in 7 CFR 1942-G.
    Eligibility Requirements. Applicants eligible for RBEG funds are 
public bodies and private non-profit corporations serving rural areas. 
States, counties, cities, townships, and incorporated towns and 
villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, including Faith-based and 
neighborhood organizations and private non-profit corporations, and 
Indian tribes on Federal and state reservations which will serve rural 
areas. ``Rural area'' for this program is defined as all areas other 
than cities or towns of more than 50,000 people and the contiguous and 
adjacent urbanized area of such cities or towns. Applications will not 
be considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information 
to determine eligibility or are missing required elements.
    Priority. There is no maximum level of grant funding, but smaller 
projects are given higher priority.
    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.
<bullet> Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Sec. 310B(c) (7 
U.S.C. 1932(c)(2))
<bullet> 7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart G, Rural Business Enterprise Grant 
Program
6. Water and Waste Loans and Grants
    General. USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Programs 
(WEP) provide a wide variety of grant, loan and loan guarantee 
assistance to rural residents, communities and utility systems. Details 
on eligible applicants and projects may be found in the relevant 
regulations listed in the ``Applicable Statutory and Regulatory 
Authority'' section below.
    Disaster Act Authorization. The Disaster Act authorizes WEP to 
provide grants and loans to eligible applicants in rural areas affected 
by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring during 2008 
for which the President has declared a major disaster under Title IV of 
the Robert. T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 
1974. Funding is available as follows:

Water and Waste Funds
    2008 Disasters loan funds: $49,589,603
    2008 Disasters grant funds: $15,000,000
    Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants: $2,000,000

    Waiver(s) Pursuant to Section 10101(c) of the Disaster Act. None.
    Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.
    <bullet> Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 306 
(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1), (2), and (24)) and Section 306A (7 U.S.C. 1926a).
    <bullet> 7 CFR Part 1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water 
Assistance Grants.
    <bullet> 7 CFR 1779, Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed 
Loans. (An Interim Rule, 7 CFR 5001, has been published in the Federal 
Register, but is not effective as of the date of this Notice).
    <bullet> 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Loans and Grants.
    Further Information. Information for the Water and Environmental 
Programs' Direct Loan and Grant programs may be obtained by contacting 
your USDA Rural Development State Office as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this Notice.

Civil Rights

    Programs referenced in this Notice are subject to applicable Civil 
Rights Laws. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or 
call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). ``USDA is an 
equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.''

    Dated: May 29, 2009.
Dallas Tonsager,
Under Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-14953 Filed 6-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P


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