What does this program do?
This program provides funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment and severe economic depression.
An essential community facility is one that provides an essential service to the local community, is needed for the orderly development of the community, serves a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Who may apply for this program?
- Public bodies
- Non-profits
- Federally-recognized Tribes
What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas including; cities, villages, townships, towns and federally-recognized Tribal Lands, with no more than 20,000 residents that have a “Not Employed Rate” greater than 19.5%
- The median household income of a community being served must be below 90% of the state non-metropolitan median household income for grant eligibility
- Grant assistance is based on a graduated scale determined by population, median household income, total project costs and financial need
How may funds be used?
To construct, enlarge or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public service. Grants may be made in combination with other financial assistance such as a Community Facilities direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contribution or funding from other sources.
Examples of essential community facilities include:
- Health Care: hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities
- Public Facilities: city/town/village halls, courthouses, airport hangers, street improvements
- Community Support Services: child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds, transitional housing
- Public Safety: fire halls, police stations, prisons, jails, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles and equipment
- Educational: museums, libraries, private schools
- Utility: telemedicine, distance learning
- Local Food Systems: community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs, greenhouses, kitchen appliances
- For a complete list, see Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3570.7
What kind of funding is available?
- Grants up to 75% of eligible project cost based on need and funding availability
- Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is determined by the population and median household income of the service area
- Grant funds must be available
Are there additional requirements?
- Applicants must be unable to finance the project from their own resources and/or through commercial credit at reasonable rates and terms
- Facilities must serve the rural area where they are/will be located
- Projects must demonstrate substantial community support
- Environmental review must be completed and determined to be acceptable
- Priorities are given to projects related to public health and safety, energy efficiency and education
How do we get started?
- Contact your local office to discuss your specific project
- Applications for this program are accepted through your local office year round
- Program resources are available online (includes forms, guidance and certifications)
Who can answer questions?
Contact your local office.
What governs this program?
Code of Federal Regulation; 7 CFR 3015, and 7 USD 1926 (a) (20) (B).
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve community facilities and public safety. These improvements save tax dollars, improve the natural environment and increase economic development as manufacturers and other types of businesses can locate or expand operations in the rural communities.
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change, please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?" You may also contact your local office for assistance.
NOTE: If state specific forms are not shown above, please refer to the application materials listed below to start the process of applying. Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to find the State Office contact information for this program and speak to a Community Programs Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in the process.
Application checklist for use with this program:
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
ASHEVILLE AREA OFFICE
Jody Lovelace, Area Director
160 Zillicoa Street, Suite #2
Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-0916
844-325-6823 Fax
Email: jody.lovelace@usda.gov
Counties Served: All Area One Counties
JEFFERSON SUB AREA OFFICE
134 Law Enforcement Dr., Suite 201
Jefferson, NC 28640
336-246-2885
844-325-6823 Fax
Email: Joyce.Latham@usda.gov
Counties Served: Ashe, Watauga, Alleghany, Wilkes, Caldwell
FRANKLIN LOCAL OFFICE
195 Thomas Heights Road
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-3175
844-325-6823 Fax
Email: rebecca.pinto@usda.gov
Counties Served: Macon, Haywood, Jackson, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain
MURPHY LOCAL OFFICE
225 Valley River Avenue, Suite J
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-2721
844-325-6823 Fax
Email: jody.lovelace@usda.gov
SPRUCE PINE LOCAL OFFICE
11943 S. 226 Hwy Suite D
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
828-765-0889
844-325-6823 Fax
Email: susan.roland@usda.gov
Counties Served: Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Avery, Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania
SHELBY AREA OFFICE
Jody Lovelace, Area Director
844 Wallace Grove Road
Shelby, NC 28150
704-471-0235
844-325-6850 Fax
Email: kevin.oliver@usda.gov
Counties Served: Cleveland, Gaston, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Mecklenburg
WINSTON-SALEM SUB AREA OFFICE
Forsyth County Agriculture Building Room 102
1450 Fairchild Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105
704-471-0235
844-325-6850 Fax
Email: kevin.oliver@usda.gov
Counties Served: Forsyth, Alexander, Burke, Davie
STATESVILLE LOCAL OFFICE
444 Bristol Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
704-471-0235
844-325-6850 Fax
Counties Served: Iredell, Catawba, Lincoln
Email: kevin.oliver@usda.gov
DOBSON LOCAL OFFICE
220 Cooper Street
PO Box 66
Dobson, NC 27017
336-386-8751
844-325-6850 Fax
Email: debbie.dickerson@usda.gov
Counties Served: Surry, Yadkin, Stokes
LUMBERTON AREA OFFICE
Larry Sampson, Area Director
PO Box 7426
440-C Caton Road
Lumberton, NC 28360
910-887-3762
844-325-6830 Fax
Email: larry.sampson@usda.gov
Counties Served: Robeson, Bladen, Cumberland, Scotland, Hoke, Columbus
SMITHFIELD SUB AREA OFFICE
Johnston County Agric Service Bldg
2736 Hwy 210
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-300-4866
844-325-6830 Fax
Email: kristi.wilson@usda.gov
Counties Served: Johnston, Harnett, Sampson, Wake, Wilson
BOLIVIA LOCAL OFFICE
10 Referendum Drive
PO Box 108
Bolivia, NC 28422
910-253-4448
844-325-6830 Fax
Email: paula.thrush@usda.gov
Counties Served: Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender
ASHEBORO AREA OFFICE
Kelley Woodley, Area Director
847 Curry Drive, Suite 104
Asheboro, NC 27205
336-629-4449
844-325-6822 Fax
Email: sha.stallings-morgan@usda.gov
Counties Served: Guilford, Randolph, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, Cabarrus, Rockingham, Caswell, Alamance
SANFORD LOCAL AREA OFFICE
2416 Tramway Road
Ernest & Ruby McSwain Extension Educ & Ag Center
Sanford, NC 27332
919-775-3407
844-325-6822 Fax
Email: margarita.marble@usda.gov
Counties Served: Lee, Chatham, Moore
ROCKINGHAM LOCAL OFFICE
123 Caroline Street
Rockingham, NC 28379
910-895-3950
844-325-6822 Fax
Email: pamela.edwards@usda.gov
Counties Served: Richmond, Montgomery, Anson, Union
HENDERSON AREA OFFICE
Shirlene Alexander, Area Director
853 S. Beckford Drive, Suite A
Henderson, NC 27536
252-438-3134 ext. 4
844-325-6826 Fax
Email: kim.hunt@usda.gov
Counties Served: Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Orange, Durham, Person,
WINTON SUB AREA OFFICE
County Office Building
305 W. Tryon Street
P.O. Box 8
Winton, NC 27986
252-358-7836
844-325-6826 Fax
Email: travis.lassiter@usda.gov
Counties Served: Hertford, Gates, Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Camden, Currituck, Bertie, Northampton
HALIFAX LOCAL OFFICE
Halifax County Agriculture Complex
359 Ferrell Lane
P.O. Box 7
Halifax, NC 27839
252-583-7171 ext. 4
844-325-6826 Fax
Email: pamela.richardson@usda.gov
Counties Served: Halifax, Nash
KINSTON AREA OFFICE
Aaron Gaskins, Area Director
2044-C Hwy 11/55 South
PO Box 6189
Kinston, NC 28501-0189
252-526-9799
844-325-6827 Fax
Email: stephanie.hardison@usda.gov
Counties Served: Lenoir, Jones, Craven, Pamlico, Onslow, Carteret, Wayne, Greene, Duplin
GREENVILLE SUB AREA OFFICE
Pitt County Office Complex
403 Government Circle, Suite 3
Greenville, NC 27834
252-752-2035/252-752-2880
844-325-6827 Fax
Email: richard.gray@usda.gov
Counties Served: Pitt, Martin, Washington, Tyrrell, Dare, Beaufort, Hyde, Edgecombe