With funding from USDA Rural Development, CDFA has developed an innovative technical assistance approach to support rural communities that have recently experienced a natural disaster. The goal of this program is to help rural communities utilize the USDA's Community Facilities Program along with identifying other potential development finance tools to aid in the rebuild and recovery after a natural disaster. Learn more and apply today!

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is investing $5.2 billion to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in 46 states and Puerto Rico. The investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to Building a Better America by investing in rural communities and will help expand access to high-speed internet, clean water, and reliable electricity in people's homes and businesses across rural America.

The Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act, which Sen. Wicker (R-MS) cosponsored alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), would create a new competitive grant program through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for nonprofits, business districts, and Main Street organizations to support economic development in America's low-income, rural and minority communities.

Developers are tackling a need for affordable housing for the homeless, families, and farmworkers in rural communities. This article showcases how developers are utilizing low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), tax-exempt bonds, and other federal financing programs to build the needed affordable housing in rural communities.

The USDA is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. With the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and as part of the broader Build Back Better agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in rural communities, creating good-paying jobs, and combatting the climate crisis top priorities.

Much of the $1.2 trillion from the infrastructure bill will flow to state governments, with the most populous states getting the largest amounts. Then cities, towns, and counties will compete for grants and loans, with state officials deciding who gets what. Federal officials will maintain control of about $120 billion, part of which will be doled out through competitive grants. But rural leaders worry that they lack the staff and matching dollars to compete with bigger cities for their fair share of the bounty.

To accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, every burg along our "blue highways" is going to need a place for motorists to plug in. For states, that means tax credits, matching grants, or similar incentives. But we're not talking big money.

CDFA is honored to partner with Frost Brown Todd LLC and its affiliate FBT Project Finance Advisors LLC to present the Infrastructure Finance Series. View the series to learn about the characteristics of infrastructure, innovative tools for financing, and how the private sector impacts the landscape of infrastructure investment.

Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course
January 26-27, 2022 - Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

Intro Bond Finance Course
February 14-15, 2022 - Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse
March 28-29, 2022 - Daily: 12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern

>>> VIEW THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE RESOURCE CENTER   

The USDA Drought Tool Kit is specifically designed to assist officials and community leaders mitigate the impact of an ongoing drought. The Drought Tool Kit will help in accessing valuable resources to share with constituents in areas recovering from drought

The U.S. Department of the Treasury discussed and fielded questions pertaining to the recently-released Capital Program Policy Guidelines as well as SSBCI application timelines and requirements. Speakers also shared insights on program design and implementation, stakeholder outreach and alignment, and approaches for delivering SSBCI capital in Appalchian communities.

>>> SEARCH RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES