The Advanced Tax Credit Course will take a deeper dive into the use and applicability of tax credits. Building on the basic structure of tax credits, expert speakers will discuss details of New Markets Tax Credits and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits through the lens of all parties and how they come together on a given transaction. Case studies will be presented to inform attendees about how tax credits work with other economic development tools to make projects successful.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2021 notice of funding availability under the agency's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. These lending programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support a wide range of projects in both large and small communities.

President Biden's $2 trillion national infrastructure plan includes many new or expanded programs for rural America. One of the notable proposals in this plan is a new $5 billion "Rural Partnership Program to help rural regions, including Tribal Nations, build on their unique assets and realize their vision for inclusive community and economic development." This program will support local planning and capacity-building efforts and offer flexible funding.

The state's economic development arm is leveraging one of its financing tools into a proposed $700 million renewable diesel refinery in north Louisiana, with hopes that it will become a multibillion-dollar green diesel hub over the next decade.  Louisiana's economic development department and Gov. John Bel Edwards support the first round of a $200 million tax-free bond allocation with potentially much more for the Louisiana Green Fuels project. 

Located in the plains of Cheyenne County among ranches and dryland farms, Kit Carson has a population of fewer than 300 and regards itself as a case study in rural Colorado's upstream struggle against powerful currents. Declining population, shifting economics of agriculture, absentee property ownership, and an aging and too-often-deteriorating housing inventory have collided to pose more than just a theoretical threat to its future.

The award of $35.1 million in federal and state housing tax credits will advance housing opportunity and economic recovery in Wisconsin through the creation of 2,200 affordable housing units. Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority's plan for allocating the credits this year increased the emphasis on rural communities, supportive housing, partnerships with developers from underrepresented communities, and sustainability.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors unanimously allocated 30% of the county's $19.3 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act — approximately $5.8 million to support "Community and Economic Resiliency." The board distributed the $5.8 million allotment into three "pots," comprising four grant programs and a new revolving loan fund to support small businesses and rural communities.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation — the Alabama Rural, Agribusiness, and Opportunity Zone Jobs Act — that will create a fund for those struggling business owners to access the capital that they need. The funds will come from $25 million in American Rescue Act dollars that the state will receive to help small businesses, and 50 percent of the money in the fund has to be provided for businesses in counties with less than 50,000 in population.

CDFA Rural Development Finance Webinar Series: Assembling Capital for Rural Development
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: Rural Broadband & Telehealth Financing
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern

>>> VIEW THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE RESOURCE CENTER   

This is an Opportunity Zone Prospectus for the City of Needles, California. It was produced through collaboration between the City, San Bernardino County, and Local Equity LLC.

The Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture Strategic Plan provides broad recommendations are coupled with specific, actionable strategies. The implementation of this plan is critical to achieving greater agricultural and natural resource resiliency, as well as a secure future for the generations of farmers and ranchers to come.

After the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, it guaranteed direct relief to all 19,000 cities, towns, and villages in the United States. NLC has identified frequently asked questions about the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grants, and has provided answers based on available information to help cities prepare while Treasury develops official guidance.

>>> SEARCH RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES