This is a USDA resource guide to help people in rural America start and grow businesses, create good-paying jobs in their communities and strengthen America’s economy. The guide features information on how rural entrepreneurs can use USDA and other...

U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Department is increasing the maximum loan amount to $400,000 under the Intermediary Relending Program. This change is in accordance with provisions in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018...

Automation, shifting demographics, COVID-19 and increased telework opportunities are reshaping the workforce landscape amid shifting industry needs. Counties, through local and regional partnerships and workforce development boards, are working with...

Through data analysis supported by stakeholder interviews and case studies, this research from the National League of Cities identifies factors that support local engagement in regional economies, how these factors vary for urban and rural places,...

This guide was created by the USDA in 2021 for community leaders and other local entities. The guide highlights four key assistance types necessary to building a stronger rural workforce: 1) Workforce development planning; 2) Infrastructure and...

Federal economic adjustment assistance (EAA) programs were established, in part, to help workers adjust to these economic disruptions. Experts in the GAO's roundtable identified a range of challenges to using EAA programs to effectively respond to...

This report from Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab provides a guide to federal funding in the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The authors place a special emphasis on formula funds received by local anchors, competitive grants, and funds...

This table includes all the federal-to-local funding streams in the American Rescue Plan that reach cities and their residents. It does not include appropriations to Tribal Governments or Agency appropriations focused on program operations at the...

This guide, authored by CDFA and Skeo, provides an overview of various development finance tools and suggestions for how communities could use these tools to finance projects in Opportunity Zones. Each section includes additional resources to learn...

USDA’s Forest Service (FS), Rural Development (RD), and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have developed this resource guide for rural communities to identify resources that develop the recreation economy.

USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This resource matrix organizes funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and...

On the March 27, 2020 Weekly COVID-19 Development Finance Briefing, we discussed how Development Finance Agencies have initially responded to COVID-19, examined Congressional legislation, analyzed how federal agencies are reacting, and looked at a...

This is a Summary of the Supplemental Appropriations included in the Senate's third COVID-19 Stimulus package, the CARES Act. More than 80% of the total $339.855 billion provided in the emergency supplemental appropriations goes to state and local...

While the discourse on rural America following the Great Recession has revolved around the resulting lack of jobs and loss of services, the lack of startups and entrepreneurial activity in these communities should not be ignored. Firm growth is a...

CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help...

The Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities. This is an Applicant Guidance Book for the USDA's Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.

In this annual report, the Idaho Department of Commerce has assembled an FY2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018) agency update complete with program reports, grant information, and highlights of the impacts these projects have on Idaho’s economy and...

Urban communities like Milwaukee and Madison are not the only places looking for help to fund economic development. Wisconsin is filled with rural communities and small towns who are also in need of financing strategies. These areas face unique...

Urban communities like Austin and Dallas are not the only places looking for help to fund economic development. Texas is filled with rural communities and small towns who are also in need of financing strategies. These areas face unique development...

Urban communities like Minneapolis and St. Paul are not the only places looking for help to fund economic development. Minnesota is filled with rural communities and small towns who are also in need of financing strategies. A number of creative and...

Naomi Lenz (USDA) discusses the USDA's programs related to rural development, housing, community facilities, utilities, energy, and more.

The Community Facilities Infrastructure Toolkit can be used as a guide to help organizations and community leaders better understand the complex process that is required to successfully develop and construct a new facility. The Toolkit outlines the...

The USDA's State Director of California, Janice Waddell, examines various best practices used in financing rural development throughout the state.

Graham Adams, CEO of South Carolina's Office of Rural Health, discusses the litany of financing tools available to rural health care facilities and communities.

Hunter Hook, Vice President of CoBank, dissects general challenges and broad solutions to financing rural infrastructure projects, such as waste water and community facilities.

Joe Mueller from the USDA gives an overview of growing rural businesses and the local economies with the use of USDA Rural Development's programs.

Many rural areas have underdeveloped assets that compound their economic challenges and hinder potential expansion. States can employ economic development strategies that build on a region’s strengths. This study indicates three strategies for...

Julian D. Bobbitt, Jr. from Smith Anderson discussed Accountable Care Organizations. He provided possible initiatives, rural ACO successes, and elements and definitions of ACOs.

As a part of the USDA's commitment to strengthening rural economies, a state-by-state "Made in Rural America" report has been released for each state. Each state's factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

As part of the CDFA & USDA Rural Finance Partnership, a Project Marketplace will be created. This informational video helps explain the partnership and marketplace.

Chuck Clendenin from California's USDA, gives a thorough overview on opportunities for finance though the USDA. Areas covered include community programs, business & cooperatives, single family housing, and multi-family housing.

James Hamill with Bridge Strategic Partners provides information on development finance opportunities for small towns and rural communities.

The third installment of the CDFA-Stifel Rural Community Development Finance Solutions Webcast Series focused on how food systems investments can be used to drive other markets, benefitting the economy of small and rural towns throughout America.

Slides from Rob Lane and Jeff Stouffer's presentation of the USDA Pennsylvania State Office business and community lending programs for rural areas and small towns.

Rob Lane and Jeff Stouffer of the USDA Pennsylvania State Office share information on the lending programs available for rural areas and small towns in this state focused webcast.

This guide was developed by USDA Rural Development for existing and prospective rural business owners to identify and explain the many government programs and resources available in Oregon to help plan, develop and finance a business.

The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District offers loans for the financing needs of businesses with favorable rates, terms and requirements to support businesses and create jobs. This factsheet gives an overview of the business assistance...

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union released this document highlighting four case studies of food and agriculture entrepreneurs. The report focuses on their various successes and failures accessing capital and expanding their businesses.

The Chester County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA) provides federal tax-exempt financing for farmers for the purchase of land, buildings, improvements, machinery, and equipment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has monies available for Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Programs in rural areas of Illinois. This map identifies the first point of contact in each geographic region.

The 2013 USDA Rural Development Progress Report highlights how investments have helped rural communities and entrepreneurs finance homes, business expansions, and economic development over the past year.

The Appalachian Regional Commission commissioned this report to examine innovative projects that demonstrate benefits to rural and underserved communities. The case studies encompass energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and local food systems.

This fact sheet from the U.S. Department of the Treasury provides an overview of USDA's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program and its potential relationship with community development efforts.

Jeff Lucas with Community Development Services describes some case studies with using CDBG programs for rural business and agricultural development.

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) published this guide for people who need financial assistance starting, expanding, or maintaining a farm or ranch. FSA provides information on loan programs, requirements, and application process as well as links to...

The Smart Rural Community by Jesse Ward focuses on the ability of rural communities to use broadband networks to enable a series of applications that the community can leverage for innovative economic development, education, healthcare, governmental...

Mark Brodziski with the U.S. Department of Agriculture presents various USDA Rural Development programs and financing mechanisms that can support local food sourcing, vending, and aggregation.