Amended Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2025 : On Nov 21, 2024 an Amendment was issued to Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2025. Link to Amended NOSA.
- Notice: This program is only open to current or former Rural Utilities Service Electric or Telecommunication borrowers and not-for-profit utilities eligible under the Rural Electrification Act.
What do these programs do?
- Current Rural Utilities Service (RUS), electric or telecommunication borrower,
- Any former RUS borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act,
- Or any not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act.
- Maximum Grant Amount: $300,000 to establish the Revolving Loan Fund.
- Up to 10 percent of grant funds may be applied toward operating expenses over the life of the Revolving Loan Fund.
- Maximum Loan Amount: $1 million.
- Business incubators.
- Community development assistance to nonprofits and public bodies (particularly for job creation or enhancement).
- Facilities and equipment to educate and train rural residents to help economic development.
- Facilities and equipment for medical care for rural residents.
- Start-up venture costs, including, but not limited to, financing fixed assets such as real estate, buildings, equipment, or working capital.
- Business expansion.
- Technical assistance.
• 10 years at zero percent interest.
• Grants require a 20 percent match from the local utility.
• Grants must be repaid to USDA upon termination of the Revolving Loan Fund.
- The interest rate is zero percent.
- Up to 80 percent of project costs; 20 percent must be provided by the ultimate recipient or the local utility.
- The local utility may incorporate interest rates or administrative loan fees after the funds have been loaned out and revolved once. First-time loans are at zero percent interest.
- Repayment may be deferred up to two years for projects including a start-up venture or Community Facilities project.
- Basic Program – Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR, Part 4280.
- Loan/Grant Servicing – Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR, Part 4280 and 2 CFR Part 200.
- These programs are authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the State Office contact information and speak to a Business Programs Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in your application.
RBCS How-To Apply Video Series for Applicants
You may also access the Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR, Part 4280.
There are no additional requirements.
Most loans and grants are originated and/or serviced in the Area Office. Please contact the Area Office that services your County or Town. See our: Florida County Map. Please contact the USVI St. Croix Office for all of the USVI.
CRESTVIEW AREA OFFICE
Jeffrey Archer, Area Director
3070 Adora Teal Way, Suite C, Crestview, FL 32539
Work phone: 850-682-2416
Business cell: 850-333-2031
Fax: 855-473-8755
Counties served: Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
MARIANNA AREA OFFICE
Loria Phillips, Area Director
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 5, Marianna, FL 32448
Work phone: 850-526-2610
Business cell: 850-317-6572
Fax: 855-474-6969
Counties served: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington.
LAKE CITY AREA OFFICE
Bruni Robles, Area Director
971 W Duval St, Suite 190, Lake City, FL 32055
Work phone: 386-719-5590
Business cell: 386-365-9576
Fax: 855-474-6983
Counties served: Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, St. Johns, Taylor and Union.
OCALA AREA OFFICE
Stephanie Hodges, Area Director
2441 NE 3rd Street, Suite 204-1, Ocala, FL 34470
Work phone: 352-732-7534
Business cell: 352-843-0042
Fax: 855-474-6990
Counties served: Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia.
CHAMPIONS GATE AREA OFFICE
Angela Smith, Area Director
8390 Champions Gate Blvd, Suite 210, Champions Gate, FL 33896
Work phone: 863-420-4833
Fax: 855-474-8230
Counties served: Brevard, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk.
ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA OFFICE **(see Sub Office information)
Ada Rivera, Area Director
420 South State Road 7, Suite 166, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
Work phone: 561-792-2727
Fax: 855-475-4827
**N. Ft. Myers (Sub Office of Royal Palm Beach)
Ada Rivera, Area Director
3434 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Suite 209-A, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33903
Work phone: 239-997-7331
Fax: 855-475-8043
Counties served from Royal Palm Beach and North Fort Myers: Broward, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota.
ST. CROIX U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AREA OFFICE
Kimme Bryce, Area Director
4401 Sion Farm, Ste. #2, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Work phone: 340-773-9146
Business cell: 340-201-4211
Fax: 855-475-6940
Locations served: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.