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| 10.854 RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, Title III, 7 U.S.C. 930-940c. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To promote rural economic development and job creation projects, including funding for project feasibility studies, start-up costs, incubator projects, and other reasonable expenses for the purpose of fostering rural development. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Direct Loans; Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Projects which promote rural economic development and job creation. For fiscal year 2007, maximum amount of grant is $300,000; maximum amount of loan is $740,000. Maximum term of loan is ten years at zero interest rate. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Electric and telephone utilities that have current loans with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) or Rural Telephone Bank loans or guarantees outstanding and are not delinquent on any Federal debt or in bankruptcy proceedings. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Rural/General Public. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Application Form: OMB Standard Form 424. This program except for feasibility studies is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." The RUS utility should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. An environmental review is conducted by the agency for the projects. An environmental assessment without scooping is occasionally required. |
| Application Procedure |
| Submit application as described in 7 CFR 4280.39, no State plan required. |
| Award Procedure |
| RBS selects projects to be funded. The funds pass through the RUS utility to rural economic development projects. |
| Deadlines |
| Applications may be filed on any working day during the month. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Open ended. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Renewal of same application for one year. Submit new or revised application as often as desired. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| This program requires supplemental funds in the amount of 20 percent of the RBS application amounts. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| None. |
| Reports |
| Reporting need established in 7 CFR 4280, Subpart A. |
| Audits |
| Financial audit of the RUS utility is required. |
| Records |
| Record retention requirements established in 7 CFR 4280, Subpart A. |
| Account Identification |
| 12-4230-0-3-271; 12-3108-0-1-452; 12-3105-0-1-452. |
| Obligations |
| (Loans) FY 07 $26,167,000; FY 08 est $33,121,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (Grants) FY 07 $9,963,000: FY 08 est $10,000,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (Note: Grants to establish Revolving Loan Fund Programs.) |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| (Loans) $450,000 to $740,000; $467,353 average. (Grants) $120,000 to $300,000; $261,935 average. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| In fiscal year 2007, 81 projects were funded. It is anticipated that in fiscal year 2008, the level of activity will be approximately the same. Considering the estimated funding level for fiscal year 2009, funding activity is anticipated to be 100. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 7 CFR 4280, Subpart A and the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Consult your local telephone directory for RD District Office number. If no listing, get in touch with appropriate Rural Development State Office listed in Appendix IV of the catalog. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Director, Specialty Lenders Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1400. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.rurdev.usda.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| (1) a $740,000 loan to construct an addition to a hospital to house a Rural Health Clinic. (2) a $450,000 loan to purchase equipment to be used in a business expansion. (3) a $300,000 grant to establish a revolving loan fund to provide business loans to businesses in 10 counties. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| See 7 CFR 4280.42. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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