U.S. Senator Larry Craig
Serving the citizens of Idaho
`http://craig.senate.gov/`

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In this briefing: Utilities Programs Business &
Cooperative Programs Housing &
Community Programs
Online Resources: Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance Grants.gov

Federal Resources for Rural Communities

The rural and urban areas of our country face many of the same problems, but they suffer different impacts. Idaho's rural areas cover 88 percent of the state but are home to only 36 percent of the population. Too many parts of rural America have not shared in the boom that has brought great prosperity to urban America. I am working with other members of Congress to ensure that rural citizens have opportunities similar to those enjoyed by residents of urban areas.

I regularly hear from community leaders concerned with the condition of rural America and want to know if a program is available to assist in their situation. When looking into these requests, I asked the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to compile a list of programs currently available to rural communities. CRS provided a list of over $10 billion in potential funding targeted to rural areas, through grants and loans. While the Department of Agriculture is the lead agency for rural issues, other rural programs can be found in almost every department. This guide is a summary of the information CRS provided my office. This brief guide below is not a complete list of assistance available from the federal government; rather, it summarizes the programs that are targeted at rural communities. Money will not be rewarded simply on the basis of application completion; instead, most programs are awarded on a competitive basis.

Overview Of USDA Rural Programs

Details regarding each of these programs and others can be found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
Your local library should have a hardcopy, or access it online at http://www.cfda.gov.

Rural Utilities Programs

Water and Waste Disposal Grants and Loans
Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) provide loans and grants for water, sewer, and solid waste facilities in rural areas. WEP grants to nonprofit organizations provide for technical assistance and/or training to entities in rural areas and to cities and towns of 10,000 or less.
Electric Loan Program
The Electric Loan Program makes insured loans and guarantees loans to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance construction of facilities for distribution of electric power in rural areas.
Telecommunications Program
Rural Development telecommunications lending creates public-private partnerships to finance the construction of telecommunications infrastructure in rural America. By providing infrastructure for rural areas, USDA is helping residents gain access to new and advanced services and job opportunities.
Distance Learning/Telemedicine (DLT) Grants and Loans Program
Grants and loans made under this program encourage, improve, and make affordable the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related technology for rural communities to improve access to educational and medical services.

Rural Business and Cooperative Programs

Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loans
This program guarantees up to 90 percent of a loan made by a commercial lender to start or expand a rural business, especially in instances in which jobs will be saved or created. Proceeds may be used for working capital, machinery and equipment, buildings and real estate, and certain types of debt refinancing.
Business and Industry (B&I) Direct Loans
Loans under this program are made to public entities, private organizations, and individuals to improve, develop, or finance business ventures in rural areas.
Intermediary Relending Program
The Intermediary Relending Program finances business and community development projects through loans made to intermediaries.
Rural Business Enterprise Grants
USDA makes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to public bodies, nonprofits, and Indian tribes to encourage the development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas.
Rural Business Opportunity Grants
Grants from this program provide for technical assistance, training, and planning activities that improve economic conditions in rural areas.
Rural Economic Development Loans
These loans are used to promote rural economic development and for job creation projects through telephone and electric utilities financed by USDA.
Rural Economic Development Grants
Rural Economic Development Grants are provided to USDA-financed telephone and electric utilities to establish revolving loan funds for community facilities and infrastructure.
Office of Community Development
Through the Rural Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Initiative, USDA provides economically depressed rural areas and communities with opportunities for growth and revitalization.

Rural Housing and Community Programs