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Welcome to
the quarterly newsletter of USDA Rural Development in Oregon. Here, you will
find updates on funding opportunities and program activities through Business, Cooperative, Energy, Electric, Telecommunications, Water and Environmental, Community Facilities, Multi-Family Housing, and Single Family Housing programs.
Oregon holds the unfortunate distinction of having one of the
nation’s highest rates of prescription opioid misuse in the nation, according
to the Oregon Health Authority. At the same time, an increasing amount of very
powerful and inexpensive opioid narcotics have become more accessible across
the state. Addressing opioid misuse is a complicated, multi-faceted issue
anywhere, and it is especially problematic in our rural and remote communities,
where programs and services are often under-resourced and difficult to access.
Recognizing the unique challenges in rural locations, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has assembled a working
group to identify strategies and resources to help rural leaders and health
providers plan and implement comprehensive solutions that meet the unique needs
of their communities.
Last month, Rural Development unveiled a new webpage
featuring resources to help rural communities respond to the opioid crisis.
Moving forward, we will continue to publish best practices and resources
tailored to rural America. We also want input to help us better address local
needs as they evolve.
We would like to hear from you to learn more about what is working and what
innovations can help small and remote communities address this devastating and
pervasive problem. If you are involved in an effort to develop or implement
innovative solutions for rural opioid misuse prevention, treatment, or
long-term recovery, please reach out to Jill
Rees, Community Development Director, (503) 414-3304.
USDA Rural Development is
accepting applications for grants to establish broadband infrastructure in
unserved rural communities through its Community Connect Program. This program helps
to fund the deployment of broadband into rural communities where it is not
economically viable for private sector providers to offer service.
State and local governments,
federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit corporations are
eligible to apply. Grants awarded through this program must be used to provide
broadband service at a minimum rate-of-data transmission of 25 megabits
downstream and 3 megabits upstream. Awardees must
also use their USDA funding to offer free broadband service to all critical
community facilities and a community center in their proposed service area for
two years.
The minimum grant amount is
$100,000 while the maximum amount is $3 million. Applicants must be able to
provide a 15 percent match on the desired grant amount. Grants are awarded
through a national competition.
Potential applicants can participate
in a free Community Connect Grant Program Webinar to learn more about the
eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and to receive detailed
guidance on how to submit a successful application. The webinars are scheduled
for the following times.
April
5, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am PST
Register online
April
10, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am PST
Register online
The deadline to apply is May
14, 2018. For additional information about the current application window,
including details on the application process, see page 11494 of the March 15, 2018, Federal Register.
Questions should be directed to Shawn Arner,
(202) 720-0800.
You are invited to join us in
Pendleton for the second workshop of 2018 on Rural Development’s
environmental, engineering, and electronic application processes for our
Community Programs.
Community
Programs Workshop
Pendleton,
Oregon
June 14, 2018 @ 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Engineers, city leaders,
architects, environmental consultants, and other professional staff who may
apply for or are involved in USDA's Water and Environmental Programs or Community Facilities Programs will gain valuable information during this training
about simplified regulations and improved processes.
Additional information will be
provided soon. If you would like to be added to our contact list to receive the
latest updates on these workshops, contact Trish
Cousins, Community Programs Specialist, (503) 414-3336.
For
a small, volunteer fire department, the high cost of equipment can be a
significant challenge. That was the case for the Reedsport Fire Department on
the central Oregon coast. Their fire pumper truck was past its useful life and
posed safety issues, but the department simply did not have enough funds to
purchase a replacement vehicle.
They were finally able to acquire
a new vehicle with help from a $159,000 grant provided by Rural Development
through its Community
Facilities Program. For a significantly discounted price, they purchased a new truck that had been the floor model. After using the grant, they paid $162,000
of their own funds, which they had saved over nearly 15 years.
With twice the onboard water
capacity, the new vehicle ensures they no longer have to worry about exhausting
their supply as quickly. And unlike their previous vehicle, the new truck
includes an onboard foam system, an especially valuable addition for this
department, which serves some of the largest industrial areas on the coast and
must contend with chemical fires more often than neighboring departments.
While applying for federal
funding can be daunting, Rural Development provided a high level of customer
service to help this small town succeed. “I want to express my appreciation for
the USDA staff,” said City Manager Jonathan Wright. “They have extremely heavy
workloads, but they took time to hold our hand throughout the process. Our loan
specialist, Deanna Quimby, was so engaged on this project she even showed up
for the truck’s delivery.”
Overall, this new
pumper truck will enhance the abilities of the Reedsport Fire Department;
improve firefighter safety; and ensure the businesses, facilities, and more
than 4,150 residents of Reedsport have access to the emergency services they
need. Learn more online...
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to support
businesses and help create jobs in rural Oregon.
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program can
be used to support targeted technical assistance, training, feasibility
studies, and other activities leading to the development or expansion in rural
areas of small and emerging private businesses with fewer than 50 employees and
less than $1 million in gross revenue.
Approximately $300,000 may be made available in Oregon in 2018, pending the availability of federal funds. The
grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Public bodies, government
entities, Native American tribes, and nonprofits are eligible to apply. A
Native American set aside that is funded through a national competition is also
available.
Complete applications must be received no later
than April
30, 2018. In Oregon, applications should be submitted to:
USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Brandon Doyle
625 SE Salmon Avenue
Suite 5
Redmond, OR 97756
Prior to developing an application, interested
applicants are encouraged to contact us to discuss the proposed project and
application requirements with Brandon Doyle, Business and Cooperative
Programs Specialist, (541) 699-3189.
Did you know USDA Rural Development offers a guaranteed lending
program to support non-agricultural businesses? The Business and
Industry (B&I) Program is a great tool for businesses to access
credit and for lenders to mitigate risk.
Up to $485 million is
available nationwide this year. Applications are currently being accepted from
eligible lenders.
Through this program, businesses
can benefit from increased access to capital and better pricing and terms than
are typically given with conventional loans. Businesses that will primarily
create or save jobs for residents of rural areas with a population of 50,000 or
less are eligible. Loans with a B&I guarantee from USDA can be used to
develop or acquire a new business, purchase land or equipment, expand an
existing business, or refinance debt.
A B&I loan guarantee
also provides many benefits for lenders, including:
Increased bank profitability and liquidity
management: There is no mandatory fiscal agent; lenders can
sell all or part of the guaranteed portion of the loan on active secondary
markets, and premiums are based on the rates and terms.
Increased loan-making ability: The federally-guaranteed portion of a B&I
loan does not count toward a bank’s legal lending limit; a guarantee is
available on loans of up to $25 million; and a federal guarantee lowers a
lender’s risk weighting for capital reserve requirements.
Expanded business and community development
opportunities: Nonprofits are eligible
for a B&I guarantee (charities excluded); there are no owner-occupancy
requirements; and lenders can diversify and grow their portfolios through new
or expanded industries (B&I loans have the potential to receive Community
Reinvestment Act consideration).
Local Rural Development staff members in Oregon are
available to assist you at any point in the process, from a loan inquiry to
loan approval. Contact us
today to begin the application process.
Donavan and Deborah Watts thought they would never own
their own home. But they were tired of the leaky roof, the water pump that
sounded like a jet engine, and the strict landlord who would not allow them to
plant a garden in front of their rented manufactured home. They applied for a
home loan, but were approved for an amount so small they couldn’t use it to buy
a house of any size.
When Donavan noticed a flyer at his work for the Habitat
for Humanity Partner Family Program, where homebuyers can reduce the cost of a
house by contributing their own sweat equity to its construction, they decided
to apply and were accepted.
The Junction City/Harrisburg/Monroe (JCHM) Habitat in
southwest Oregon acquired a property and built a new home, while the Watts
contributed 500 hours of work on the home’s construction.
Habitat then partnered with USDA Rural Development to
help the Watts get a mortgage. They were approved for a low-interest loan, with no down payment, through USDA’s Single
Family Housing Program. The Watts are now paying roughly the same to own a
home as they did for their rental.
Donavan and Deborah moved into their new home in the fall
of 2017, becoming the first members of their family to own the land they live
on. These first-generation homeowners now have
greater financial security and stability for the long-term, and their
experience has made them engaged community members who are now helping others
as Habitat volunteers. Learn more online...
In a process completed every five years, USDA
Rural Development has conducted a review to identify areas that no longer
qualify as rural for our Housing Programs. The review utilized the 2015 American Community
Survey data. We also received and reviewed
public comments on the proposed changes.
Based on our review, the rural
eligibility designation is proposed to change to not rural for the following
areas in Oregon:
- Grants Pass
- Damascus
- Sherwood
- Wilsonville
- Central Point
- Hayesville
- Four Corners
- Bethany
Proposed
ineligible area maps are now available online. To look
up your area, select the housing program of interest to you and then select the
“Proposed Ineligible Areas” tab. The new ineligible areas shown on these maps will
become effective on June 4, 2018.
Subsequent loans may be made on a property that already has a
Rural Development loan, regardless of its location, to make necessary repairs,
pay equity in connection with an assumption of the loan, or to pay equity to a
departing co-borrower.
For the Single Family Housing
Guaranteed Loan Program, existing conditional commitments will be honored.
Additionally, new conditional commitments may be issued for a property located
in one of these areas if the loan application is completed before the area’s
designation has changed and if all other eligibility requirements are met.
For questions about these changes, contact our Single Family Housing Program staff at (503) 414-3353.
USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for
loan guarantees to preserve or increase the supply of affordable rental housing
in rural areas. The funding is being provided through USDA's Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantee Program.
Eligible borrowers include most state and local
government entities, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and federally
recognized tribes. Lenders may apply for a loan guarantee of up to 90 percent
(or 97 percent for nonprofits) of the total development costs on loans to build
or preserve affordable rural rental housing.
USDA funding provided under this program may be used for
the construction or the acquisition and rehabilitation of multi-family rental
housing for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
Applications are being accepted through December 31, 2021.
In Oregon, applications should be submitted to the Rural Development State
Office:
USDA Rural Development
ATTN: Multi-Family
Housing
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
Prior to developing an application, interested applicants
are encouraged to contact our office to discuss the proposed project with a
Multi-Family Housing Specialist at (866) 923-5626 extension 2 or rd.mfh.oregon@or.usda.gov.
For additional information, see page 60579 of the December 21, 2017, Federal Register.
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