(Washington, D.C., September 1, 2026) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development today announced the kickoff of the Delegated Authority Lender Interactive Test Environment (LITE) Pilot Program for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. USDA Rural Development selected the initial participating lenders, who will begin operating in the Pilot Program on September 1, 2026.

Accessible and affordable healthcare in rural areas is a major concern across the nation. In Pennsylvania, where the Rural Center for PA estimates 26% of people live in rural communities, this is of particular concern. Finding ways to address it requires ingenuity and adaptation with a focus on meeting rural Pennsylvanians where they live instead of making them travel to a healthcare facility that is often a significant distance from home. It also takes partnership and funding. That’s where USDA Rural Development comes in. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Michigan State Director Dom Restuccia today announced $525,000 in grants for Montcalm Central Public Schools and Friends of the Hubbard Lake Center.  

“As school starts up again, these projects are reminders of how USDA Rural Development is helping school districts and libraries,” said Restuccia. “Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, we are making major investments in rural communities across Michigan.”

USDA Under Secretary Glen Smith Visits Viroqua to Highlight a Value-Added Agriculture Investment in Hazelnuts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is partnering with our rural educational partners and helping them transform hands-on education across Western New York. Across several Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) campus centers in Erie 2-Chautauqua – Cattaraugus (E2CC), students and educators are witnessing, and even taking part in, a powerful example of what happens when rural communities gain access to cutting‑edge training tools.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Zachary Swartz announced today that the Trump Administration provided a $4 million USDA Rural Development grant to Latimer County Rural Water District No. 4.

The Administration’s investment will improve the water treatment plant and distribution system to meet the needs of the community. Additionally, upgrades will make the system compliant with Oklahoma quality regulations and provide the community with clean drinking water.  

Seven States Power Corporation proposes to acquire the Kingston Energy Complex in Roane County, Tennessee.