Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) and 7 U.S.C 1926 (a)(19))
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.
10.766
Discretionary, Subsidy, Loan or Loan Guarantee
Other (i.e. loan-grant combo; if there is a set-aside amount for certain recipients please indicate the amount): Loan and Grant Combinations
Not Applicable
Reissue/Renewal
Applications are accepted year-round.
Total Amount: $2,800,000,000 CF Direct Loans and $25,300,000 CF Grants
Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified):
Yes
If yes, what is the matching requirement: Dependent on population and median household income
Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan and Grants allow for other Federal funds to meet cost-sharing or matching funds requirements if allowable by the other Federal program. Likewise, CF funding may be used as complementary funding or “matching funds” for other Federal programs, if allowable by the other Federal program.
Telehealth equipment
Not Applicable
Eligible borrowers and grantees include public bodies, non-profits, and Federally-recognized Tribes. Eligible facilities must be located in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or fewer inhabitants. See 7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart A and 7 CFR Part 3570, Subpart A for additional requirements.
Eligible grant recipients must be located in a rural area with a population of 20,000 or fewer inhabitants and a project service area with median household income (MHI) of 90 percent or less of statewide nonmetropolitan MHI. Grant assistance is provided on a graduated scale. Smaller communities with the lowest MHI will be eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds, up to 75 percent of total project costs.
Not Applicable
Not Applicable - Not specific to broadband
For more information, contact your local Rural Development State Office: https://rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
March 2023