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Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees in Arkansas

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Fact Sheet


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?

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.  

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.

National Architect Requirements:

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.

There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.

AREA OFFICES


Forrest City Area Office
 Ms. Betty Searcy, Area Specialist (Betty.Searcy@usda.gov)
 Ms. Flora Pruitt, Area Specialist (Flora.Pruitt@usda.gov)
 Phone: 870-633-3055 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 855-681-7082
 USDA Service Center
 4401 N. Washington
 Forrest City, AR 72335
 Counties served: Arkansas, Crittenden, Cross, Lee, Lonoke, Monroe, Phillips, Prairie, Pulaski, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.


Fort Smith Area Office
 Ms. Susan Staggs, Area Specialist (Susan.Staggs@usda.gov)
 Phone: 479-646-8300 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 877-504-6540
 USDA Service Center
 3913 Brooken Hill Drive, Suite 400
 Ft. Smith, AR 72908-9289
 Counties served: Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Faulkner, Johnson, Logan, Perry, Pope, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, and Yell Counties.


Harrison Area Office
 Mr. Neal Hodges, Area Specialist (Neal.Hodges@usda.gov)
 Phone: 870-741-8600 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 855-681-7080
 Federal Building, Room 219
 402 N. Walnut
 Harrison, AR 72601
 Counties served: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Stone, and Washington Counties


Hope Area Office
 Ms. Beckie Buck, Area Specialist (Rebecca.Buck@usda.gov)
 Phone: 870-777-8800 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 855-747-7792
 USDA Service Center
 300 W. Commerce Blvd., Suite D (Mail to P. O. Box 768)
 Hope, AR 71802
 Counties served: Clark, Garland, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Montgomery, Nevada, Pike, Polk, Saline, and Sevier Counties


Jonesboro Area Office
 Mr. Keith Huskey, Area Specialist (Keith.Huskey@usda.gov)
 Phone: 870-972-4671 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 855-681-7081
 USDA Service Center
 3407 S. Caraway, Suite 4
 Jonesboro, AR 72404
 Counties served: Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Green, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, and Sharp Counties.


Monticello Area Office
 Mr. Brian Montgomery, Area Specialist (Michael.Montgomery3@usda.gov)
 Ms. Marisa Harris, Area Specialist (Marisa.Harris@usda.gov)
 Phone: 870-367-8400 (Ext. 4)
 Fax: 855-747-7791
 USDA Service Center
 419 W. Grimes Street, Suite 4
 Monticello, AR 71655
 Counties served: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Ouachita, and Union Counties.

 


STATE OFFICE

Mr. Tim Smith, Acting Community Programs Director (Tim.Smith3@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax:  855-747-7800


Mr. David Kirchner, Community Programs Specialist (David.Kirchner@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax:  855-747-7800


Ms. Rosalind Davis, Community Programs Specialist (Rosalind.Davis@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax: 855-747-7800


Mr. Richard Maurer, Community Programs Specialist (Richard.Maurer@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax: 855-747-7800


Ms. Lauren Chambers, State Engineer (Lauren.Chambers@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax:  855-747-7800


Mr. Larry Duncan, State Engineer (Larry.Duncan@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax: 855-747-7800


Ms. Sandra Greer, Community Programs Technician (Sandra.Greer@usda.gov)
 Phone: 501-301-3265
 Fax: 855-747-7800

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