The Rural Financing Best Practices by CDFA explores how rural communities can leverage a wide range of tools and approaches to build on their assets, protect their resources, and make strategic investments that offer long-term benefits for residents...

Presentation slides from the CDFA Brownfields Financing Webinar Series on January 14, 2016

As part of the CDFA & USDA Rural Development Finance Partnership, CDFA is providing a four-part training series for USDA field staff. These four courses are focused on the Fundamentals of Development Finance, Food Systems Finance, Infrastructure...

This report from the US Conference of Mayors provides several success stories in brownfield redevelopment from cities that have demonstrated their ability to utilize a variety of private and public resources.

Penny Hexdall of the USDA describes the comprehensive approach taken by the USDA in financing the local food supply chain.

Erica Heller. with Progressive Urban Management Associates talks about programs that have been created at the state government levels to help finance the businesses and stakeholders involved in a food system. She discusses tax credit and loan...

Jim Barham and Elanor Starmer with the USDA discuss several specialized programs available through the federal agencies to help support a local food system. This session present programs available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

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,...

This guide to HUD, DOT, EPA, and USDA programs highlights federal resources rural communities can use to promote economic competitiveness, protect healthy environments, and enhance quality of life.

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

Association for Redevelopment Initiatives' case study of Milltown Park, a former mill site that was redeveloped using TIF and a USDA Rural Housing Super Green-LEED Platinum Loan.

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

The various targeted financing solutions to revitalize rural infrastructure and energy systems is explained in this webcast by Gary Bojes, Ph.D. of USDA, Bennett Johnson III of Ocean's Energy, Andrew Jacob with CoBank, and Christopher Sheehan of...

The various targeted financing solutions to revitalize rural infrastructure and energy systems is explained in this webcast by Gary Bojes, Ph.D. of USDA, Bennett Johnson III of Ocean's Energy, Andrew Jacob with CoBank, and Christopher Sheehan of...

In this report by the Northeast-Midwest Institute, various forms of federal assistance funds are discussed. These funds cover a wide range of areas that help build a climate-resilient economy.

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

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 factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing,...

This resource is an overview of USDA Rural Development Rural Business—Cooperative Programs, opportunities, and funding. The programs include B&I Guaranteed Loan Program, Specialty Programs Division, Energy Programs Division, and Cooperative Programs.

Through a partnership between non-profit organizations and local food producers, Hardwick, VT invested in the area's local and regional food systems. In 2012, supported by the USDA, Hardwick opened a new site of the Vermont Food Venture Center...

One of the keys to rural prosperity is for rural communities to come together on a regional basis to develop a strategic plan for building a stronger economy. The USDA is helping to build a more prosperous rural America by providing financial...

This document is by the USDA Rural Development and is a monthly document about cooperatives. The document recognizes the important role that cooperatives play in strengthening the economy, providing greater economic opportunity, and creating member...

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 USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Programs released this letter offering loans and grants for the expedited repair or replacement of any of Pennsylvania's 1,000 bridges deemed structurally deficient that are in rural areas.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition begins this guide with a general overview of the USDA’s structure, followed by descriptions and details of 15 grants and programs that are relevant to local and regional food systems development. Each...

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.

In this presentation, Evans Paull of New Partners for Smart Growth explores creative financing models for brownfield redevelopment. Paull covers tools such as bonds, loans, grants, credit enhancements, TIF as well as case studies.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

This progress report from the USDA takes a look over the 2013 performance of rural development programs in the state.

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.

Through the Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program program, USDA Rural Development guarantees loans rather than lending directly to Oregonians. A commercial lender requests the B&I guarantee and, if approved, it makes and services the...

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.

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.

This reference is a helpful tool to locate basic information regarding USDA programs in California. Each program is accompanied with such information as who may borrow, terms and limits, prohibited uses and user fees.

Jim Turner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes the latest investments being made for rural areas, such as infrastructure, broadband, renewable energy, housing and other community assets.

Bruce Crain & Alan Hodges discuss the various financing mechanisms available to entrepreneurs looking to establish a commercial biomass facility. The authors outline tools including: USDA loans, tax-increment financing, bonds, tax credits, and more.

Glenda Humiston presents on the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's funding and technical assistance programs, which include Business & Cooperatives Development, Community Facilities & Rural Utilities, Water, Sewer & Solid Waste Systems, and Single,...

The State of California – Business Investment Guide serves as a reference document to highlight California’s strategic business advantages, new state-sponsored initiatives, incentives as well as existing technical and financial assistance programs.

The U.S. Department of Energy has released a guide to financial resources for clean energy to serve state, local and tribal leaders seeking to build a robust, clean energy economy. This guide provides a snapshot of the federal finance facilities...

The CDFI Fund‘s Capacity Building Initiative for Financing Healthy Food Options track was created to prepare community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to effectively deploy financial resources to healthy food projects benefitting...

This investment guide provides a snapshot of a few financing programs available in the state of California. The state has a strong focus on Industrial Development Bonds, pollution control financing, small business loans and loan guarantees, and more.

Molly Hammond with U.S. Department of Agriculture shares financing opportunities offered through various USDA programs. These programs invested more than $590M in Illinois in 2012 and have made a tremendously positive impact on rural businesses and...