Opportunities for Funding

What does this program do?
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and
community projects that serve rural areas.

Who may apply for this program?
Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas.

What kind of funding is available?
There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?
Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
Pollution control and abatement.
The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
Rural transportation improvement.
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How may Opportunity type funds be used?
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How are applications evaluated?
All applications are evaluated based on:
Evidence showing job creation at local businesses.
Percent of non-federal funding committed to the project.
Economic need in the area to be served.
Consistency with local economic development priorities.
Experience of the grantee with similar efforts.

Other factors are described in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).

What does this program do?
Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:

Be the homeowner and occupy the house
Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county
For grants, be age 62 or older
What is an eligible rural area?
Utilizing the USDA Eligibility Site you can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.

How may funds be used?

Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards
How much money can I get?

Maximum loan is $40,000
Maximum grant is $10,000
Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?

Loans are termed for 20 years
Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
Full title service is required if the total outstanding balance on Section 504 loans is greater than $25,000
Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000
Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
Is there a deadline to apply?

Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round

What does this program do?

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Who may apply?

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

Most state and local governmental entities
Private nonprofits
Federally-recognized tribes
What is an eligible area?

Areas that may be served include:

Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses
Tribal lands in rural areas
Colonias
What kinds of funding are available?

Long-term, low-interest loans
If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
Storm water collection, transmission and disposal
In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

Legal and engineering fees
Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
Start-up operations and maintenance
Interest incurred during construction
Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list
What is the loan term and rate?

Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed
Fixed interest rates, based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project

Are there additional requirements?

Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities.
All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose.
Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged.
Projects must be financially sustainable.

What does this program do?
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Who may apply for this program?
Agricultural producers
An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
Small businesses
Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.
NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

Who may qualify for loan guarantees?
Eligible borrowers are:

Rural small businesses.
Agricultural producers.
What are the borrowing restrictions for loan guarantees?
Individual borrowers must be citizens of the United States or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence.
Private-entity borrowers must demonstrate that loan funds will remain in the U.S.
What is an eligible area?
Projects must be located in rural areas with populations of 50,000 residents or less*.
Check eligible rural areas
Agricultural producers may submit projects to be located in non-rural areas as long as the project is associated with an on-site production operation.

How may the funds be used?
Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
Hydrogen.
Small and large wind generation.
Small and large solar generation.
Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.
Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
Insulation.
Lighting.
Cooling or refrigeration units.
Doors and windows.
Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

What funding is available?
Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.
Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.
What is the maximum amount of a loan guarantee?
The loan guarantee percentage is published annually in a Federal Register notice. REAP loans approved in Fiscal Year 2024 will receive an 80 percent guarantee. REAP loans approved in Fiscal Year 2025 will receive an 80 percent guarantee.

​What are the loan guarantee terms?
The lender, with Agency concurrence, will establish and justify the guaranteed loan term based on the use of guaranteed loan funds, the useful economic life of the assets being financed and those used as collateral, and the borrower’s repayment ability. The loan term will not exceed 40 years.

What are the interest rates for the loan guarantee?
Interest rates are negotiated between the lender and borrower.
Rates may be fixed or variable.
Variable interest rates may not be adjusted more often than quarterly.
What are the applicable fees for the loan guarantee?
There is an initial guarantee fee, currently 1 percent of the guaranteed amount.
There is a guarantee retention fee, currently 0.25 percent of the outstanding principal balance, paid annually.
Reasonable and customary fees for loan origination are negotiated between the borrower and lender.
What are the underwriting requirements for the loan guarantee?
The lender will conduct a credit evaluation using credit documentation procedures and underwriting processes that are consistent with generally accepted prudent lending practices and also consistent with the lender’s own policies, procedures and lending practices.
The lender’s evaluation must address any financial or other credit weaknesses of the borrower and project and discuss risk mitigation requirements.
The lender must analyze all credit factors to determine that the credit factors and guaranteed loan terms and conditions ensure guaranteed loan repayment.
Credit factors to be analyzed include but are not limited to character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions.
What are the grant terms?
Renewable Energy System Grants:

$2,500 minimum.
$1 million maximum.
Energy Efficiency Grants:

$1,500 minimum.
$500,000 maximum.

Are there additional requirements?
Applicants must provide matching funds if applying for a grant only.
50% Federal grant share limited to projects that meet one of the following:
Project is a Renewable Energy System (RES), or RES retrofit that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, or Fluorinated Gases) at the project level.
Project is located in an Energy Community as defined in 26 USC 45(b)(11)(B) and determined by the Department of the Treasury.
Project is an Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEI).
Is a project proposed from an eligible Tribal Corporation or other Tribal Business entity (including agriculture operations) as described in 7 CFR part 4280.
All other projects are limited to 25% Federal grant share
Applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the project cost if applying for loan.
All projects must have technical merit and utilize commercially available technology.
Energy efficiency projects require an energy audit or assessment.
All projects require an environmental review prior to award or construction
How do we get started? Applications for this program are accepted year-round at your local office.

What does this program do?
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and
community projects that serve rural areas.

Who may apply for this program?
Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas.

What kind of funding is available?
There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?
Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
Pollution control and abatement.
The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
Rural transportation improvement.
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How may Opportunity type funds be used?
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How are applications evaluated?
All applications are evaluated based on:
Evidence showing job creation at local businesses.
Percent of non-federal funding committed to the project.
Economic need in the area to be served.
Consistency with local economic development priorities.
Experience of the grantee with similar efforts.

Other factors are described in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).

What does this program do?
Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Who may apply for this program?
To qualify, you must:

Be the homeowner and occupy the house
Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere
Have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county
For grants, be age 62 or older
What is an eligible rural area?
Utilizing the USDA Eligibility Site you can enter a specific address for determination or just search the map to review general eligible areas.

How may funds be used?

Loans may be used to repair, improve or modernize homes or remove health and safety hazards
Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards
How much money can I get?

Maximum loan is $40,000
Maximum grant is $10,000
Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?

Loans are termed for 20 years
Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
Full title service is required if the total outstanding balance on Section 504 loans is greater than $25,000
Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000
Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
Is there a deadline to apply?

Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round

What does this program do?
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Who may apply for this program?
Eligible borrowers include:

Public bodies
Community-based non-profit corporations
Federally-recognized Tribes
What is an eligible area?
Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses
For a complete list see Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR, Part 1942.17(d) for loans; 7 CFR, Part 3570.62 for grants.

What kinds of funding are available?

Low interest direct loans
Grants
A combination of the two above, as well as our loan guarantee program. These may be combined with commercial financing to finance one project if all eligibility and feasibility requirements are met.
What are the funding priorities?

Priority point system based on population, median household income
Small communities with a population of 5,500 or less
Low-income communities having a median household income below 80% of the state nonmetropolitan median household income.
What are the terms?

Funding is provided through a competitive process.

Direct Loan:

Loan repayment terms may not be longer than the useful life of the facility, state statutes, the applicants authority, or a maximum of 40 years, whichever is less
Interest rates are set by Rural Development, contact us for details and current rates
Once the loan is approved, the interest rate is fixed for the entire term of the loan, and is determined by the median household income of the service area and population of the community
There are no pre-payment penalties
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project
Grant Approval:

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.
Grant funds must be available
Are there additional requirements?

Applicants must have legal authority to borrow money, obtain security, repay loans, construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities
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 rural area where they are/will be located
Project must demonstrate substantial community support
Environmental review must be completed/acceptable

What does this program do?
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Who may apply for this program?
Agricultural producers
An entity directly engaged in production of agricultural products where at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
Small businesses
Must be located in eligible rural areas and one of the following:
Private for-profit entity (sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation)
A Cooperative [including those qualified under Section 501(c)(12) of IRS Code]
An electric utility (including a Tribal or governmental electric utility) that provides service to rural consumers and operates independent of direct government control)
A Tribal corporation or other Tribal business entities that are chartered under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 USC 477) or have similar structures and relationships with their Tribal entity without regard to the resources of the Tribal government.
Must meet the Small Business Administration size standards in accordance with 13 CFR 121.
NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

Who may qualify for loan guarantees?
Eligible borrowers are:

Rural small businesses.
Agricultural producers.
What are the borrowing restrictions for loan guarantees?
Individual borrowers must be citizens of the United States or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence.
Private-entity borrowers must demonstrate that loan funds will remain in the U.S.
What is an eligible area?
Projects must be located in rural areas with populations of 50,000 residents or less*.
Check eligible rural areas
Agricultural producers may submit projects to be located in non-rural areas as long as the project is associated with an on-site production operation.

How may the funds be used?
Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
Hydrogen.
Small and large wind generation.
Small and large solar generation.
Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.
Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
Insulation.
Lighting.
Cooling or refrigeration units.
Doors and windows.
Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

What funding is available?
Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.
Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

What does this program do?
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and
community projects that serve rural areas.

Who may apply for this program?
Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas.

What kind of funding is available?
There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?
Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
Pollution control and abatement.
The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
Rural transportation improvement.
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How may Opportunity type funds be used?
Community economic development.
Technology-based economic development.
Feasibility studies and business plans.
Leadership and entrepreneur training.
Rural business incubators.
Long-term business strategic planning.
How are applications evaluated?
All applications are evaluated based on:
Evidence showing job creation at local businesses.
Percent of non-federal funding committed to the project.
Economic need in the area to be served.
Consistency with local economic development priorities.
Experience of the grantee with similar efforts.

Other factors are described in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).

What does this program do?
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Who may apply for this program?
Eligible borrowers include:

Public bodies
Community-based non-profit corporations
Federally-recognized Tribes
What is an eligible area?
Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses
For a complete list see Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR, Part 1942.17(d) for loans; 7 CFR, Part 3570.62 for grants.

What kinds of funding are available?

Low interest direct loans
Grants
A combination of the two above, as well as our loan guarantee program. These may be combined with commercial financing to finance one project if all eligibility and feasibility requirements are met.
What are the funding priorities?

Priority point system based on population, median household income
Small communities with a population of 5,500 or less
Low-income communities having a median household income below 80% of the state nonmetropolitan median household income.
What are the terms?

Funding is provided through a competitive process.

Direct Loan:

Loan repayment terms may not be longer than the useful life of the facility, state statutes, the applicants authority, or a maximum of 40 years, whichever is less
Interest rates are set by Rural Development, contact us for details and current rates
Once the loan is approved, the interest rate is fixed for the entire term of the loan, and is determined by the median household income of the service area and population of the community
There are no pre-payment penalties
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project
Grant Approval:

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.
Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:
Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.
Grant funds must be available
Are there additional requirements?

Applicants must have legal authority to borrow money, obtain security, repay loans, construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities
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 rural area where they are/will be located
Project must demonstrate substantial community support
Environmental review must be completed/acceptable