What does this program do?
This program helps private lenders provide affordable financing to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Affordable terms and good practices can save tax dollars and may be necessary for businesses to locate or expand operations.
Who may apply for this program?
Eligible applicants include lenders with the legal authority, financial strength, and experience to operate a successful lending program. Examples of eligible lenders include:
- Federal and state-chartered banks
- Savings and loan institutions
- Farm Credit banks with direct lending authority
- Credit unions
- Additional nonregulated lending institutions approved by USDA
Who can qualify for these loan guarantees?
Eligible borrowers are:
- State and local governments
- Non-profit organizations
- Federally recognized Tribes
What areas are eligible ?
- Cities, villages, towns, townships, and federally recognized Tribal lands with fewer than 50,000 residents
- You can check eligible areas at this link: tinyurl.com/WEPRuraleligibility
What facilities are eligible?
- Drinking water
- Sanitary sewer
- Solid waste disposal
- Stormwater disposal
How can funds be used?
Funds can be used for construction projects and can cover costs such as engineering fees and land, legal, and environmental analysis costs.
Funds can also be used for nonconstruction projects, like:
- Equipment to operate, maintain, or protect facilities
- Professional service fees for engineering and environmental services
- Debt refinancing
For a comprehensive list of eligible uses, see Code of Federal Regulations 7CFR Part 5001, available at this link: tinyurl.com/RD-7CFR-5001.
How do we get started?
- Interested borrowers can ask their lender about the USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantee program. Information is available at this link: tinyurl.com/WEPWWDLG.
- Interested lenders can contact the USDA Rural Development Community Programs director in the state where the proposed project is located. A list of state offices is available at this link: tinyurl.com/RDStateOffices.
Who can answer questions?
- Your local USDA Rural Development office can help. A list of offices is available at this link: tinyurl.com/RDStateOffices.
- You will find information about USDA Rural Development’s OneRD Loan Guarantee initiative at this link: tinyurl.com/USDA-1RD-LG.
What governs this program?
Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR 5001, available at this link: tinyurl.com/RD-7CFR-5001.
NOTE: Because information changes, always consult official program instructions or contact your local USDA Rural Development office for help. A list is available at this link: tinyurl.com/RDStateOffices. You will find additional RD program resources at rd.usda.gov. Information about other USDA programs and services is available at this link: ask.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Learn how to prepare wastewater system planning documents for projects that anticipate joint funding from USDA Rural Development and Business Oregon, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, or Rural Community Assistance Corporation in the Guide to Preparing Wastewater Planning Documents and Environmental Reports for Projects with Multiple Funding Sources (PDF, 1.23 MB), updated July 23, 2018.
Additional resources and funding options for Oregon water and wastewater infrastructure projects are provided in the Rural Community Assistance Corporation's 2016 Oregon Water & Wastewater Funding and Resource Guide* (PDF, 314 KB).
*This document was developed by a local nonprofit and is being shared by USDA as a public service to our customers. Please note that the guide may not capture all resources and funding opportunities that may be available or relevant to water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and the inclusion of an organization or program does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by USDA over similar options not named.
NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application.
Individual states may have particular requirements based on state and local regulations. Please contact the local RD office in the state where your project is located.
Preliminary Engineer Report Guidelines for USDA Rural Development Projects, Rural Utilities Service Bulletin 1780-2 (PDF, 343 KB)
Guide to Preparing Wastewater Planning Documents and Environmental Reports for Projects with Multiple Funding Sources (PDF, 1.23 MB), updated July 23, 2018
For further information, please contact the Charlotte Bentley at (503) 414-3362 or charlotte.bentley@usda.gov.
Guide to Preparing Wastewater Planning Documents and Environmental Reports for Projects with Multipe Funding Sources (PDF, 1.23 MB), updated July 23, 2018
For further information, please contact the Charlotte Bentley at (503) 414-3362 or charlotte.bentley@usda.gov.
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
LOCAL CONTACTS:
Portland Office (Serving Northwest Oregon: Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties):
LaDonn McElligott, Community Programs Director
(541) 624-3087, ladonn.mcelligott@usda.gov
Tangent Office (Serving West Central Oregon: Benton, Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties):
Holly Halligan, Community Programs Specialist
(541) 801-2682, holly.halligan@usda.gov
Roseburg Office (Serving Southwest Oregon: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties):
Tanya Winslow, Community Programs Specialist
(541) 378-3540, tanya.winslow@usda.gov
Redmond Office (Serving Central Oregon: Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Harney, Klamath, and Lake counties):
Kimberley Young, Community Programs Specialist
(541) 699-3200, kimberley.young@usda.gov
La Grande Office (Serving Eastern Oregon: Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler counties):
LaDonn McElligott, Community Programs Director
(541) 624-3087, ladonn.mcelligott@usda.gov
View the service area maps for Community Programs in Oregon.
STATEWIDE CONTACTS
Main Phone: (866) 923-5626 ext. 3
Relay Service: Dial 711 for a free relay service operated by the FCC
Fax: (855) 824-6181
USDA Rural Development
Attn: Community Programs
1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
LaDonn McElligott, Community Programs Director
(541) 624-3087, ladonn.mcelligott@usda.gov
Ella Nichols, Community Programs Specialist
(503) 414-3354, ella.nichols@usda.gov
Tangent Office:
Holly Halligan, Community Programs Specialist
(541) 801-2682, holly.halligan@usda.gov
Roseburg Office:
Jennifer Bacigalupo, Community Programs Specialist
(541) 378-3532, jennifer.bacigalupo@usda.gov
Technical Contacts:
Brian Daily, State Engineer / State Environmental Coordinator
(541) 801-2689, brian.daily@usda.gov
Emily Jennings, Engineer Intern
(503) 414-3337, emily.jennings@usda.gov
Norm Schoen, State Architect
(503) 414-3364, norm.schoen@usda.gov
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