United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is seeking applications to implement projects supported by regional economic and community development planning to help the people of rural America build back better.
The 2018 Farm Bill authorized USDA to make this funding available under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) initiative. It can be used to implement projects that are supported by multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. In fiscal year 2022, this funding is available under the following USDA Rural Development programs:
- Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
- Community Facilities Loan Guarantee Program
- Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program
- Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees
- Rural Business Development Grants
- Community Connect Grants
To be eligible for SECD reserved funding, applicants must meet the requirements and deadlines under the covered programs. Applicants must also submit a Form 1980-88 to USDA. See additional requirements below.
- To apply for SECD reserved funding under the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program, applicants must submit forms electronically via RD Apply or submit paper forms at the USDA Rural Development office where the project is located.
- USDA will issue an announcement in the coming months when the application window opens for the Community Connect Grants program. To apply for SECD reserved funding under this program, applicants must submit forms electronically at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect.
- To apply for SECD reserved funding under other grant programs or direct loan programs, applicants must submit forms to the USDA Rural Development office where the project is located.
- To apply for SECD reserved funding under loan guarantee programs, applicants must submit their Form 1980-88 concurrent with the 5001-1 and any documentation required under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative application guidelines.
For more information on requirements and deadlines under the covered programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov. For additional information on SECD funding, see page 57409 of the Oct. 15, 2021, Federal Register.
USDA Rural Development encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help rural America build back better and stronger. Key priorities include combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the impacts of climate change and/or advancing equity in rural America. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.