(Washington, D.C., October 6, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has released its fiscal year (FY) 2026 fact sheet for the Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program, also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program. In FY 2026, the program provided $571 million in affordable home loans, helping more than 2,100 very low- and low-income rural residents become homeowners.

(Washington, D.C., October 6, 2026) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Glen R. Smith announced today that Rural Development invested nearly $25 billion in loans and grants in fiscal year 2026. These investments are helping rural communities grow and maintain critical services that families, farmers, and businesses rely on every day.

(Stevens Point, Wis., October 7, 2026) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson announced today a $749,400 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant awarded to Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10 (CESA 10) in Chippewa Falls.

(Portland, Ore., Oct. 5, 2026) — USDA Rural Development Oregon State Director Jim Carmack today announced the agency is awarding $11,710,860 in grant funds to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) to expand high-speed internet access in rural Lincoln County.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega announced that the agency is investing $380,833 in Value-Added Producer Grants.

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Statutory SEC. 343 [7 U.S.C. 1991] (a)(13)(D) authorizes the Rural Development Under
Secretary to, on the petition of a unit of local government, determine that a part of an area be
considered rural in character (RIC) and therefore meet Rural Development’s population
eligibility requirements. This notice must take place no later than 30 days after receipt of the 
petition or the commencement of the initiative, as appropriate. 

Statutory SEC. 343 [7 U.S.C. 1991] (a)(13)(D) authorizes the Rural Development Under
Secretary to, on the petition of a unit of local government, determine that a part of an area be
considered rural in character (RIC) and therefore meet Rural Development’s population
eligibility requirements. This notice must take place no later than 30 days after receipt of the 
petition or the commencement of the initiative, as appropriate.