• We are Open for Business
• Community Programs Staff Update
• RD News and Updates
• Marble Distillery is paying it forward
• Making a House a Home
• Follow us on Twitter at @RD_Colorado

We are Open for Business

by Sallie Clark Colorado State Director USDA Rural Development in Colorado is open for business and here to serve our rural communities affected by COVID-19. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA Rural Development is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities and all the people who call them home during this challenging time. We have taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak: Effective March 19, borrowers with USDA single-family housing Direct and Guaranteed loans are subject to a moratorium on foreclosure and eviction for a period of 60 days. This action applies to the initiation of foreclosures and evictions and to the completion of foreclosures and evictions in process. Effective immediately until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees. We have extended application deadlines for our Rural Business Development Grant Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, and the ReConnect Program. To learn more about Rural Development’s COVID-19 response visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus. Colorado Rural Development staff are working remotely. We remain dedicated to the timely delivery of our programs. I have been quite impressed with the way Colorado's rural communities are working together and truly stepping up to help each other through this time. USDA Rural Development is here to help, and with our 50+ programs we can create prosperity in rural communities together. I believe that our programs truly make the difference for rural Colorado and when we work together, America prospers. I encourage you all to take a moment and check out our programs at www.rd.usda.gov/co.    Please stay safe and healthy and together, we will get through this.

RD Staff available to help

While USDA Rural Development Colorado Staff is working in an enterprise remote status, we are still available to provide your entity or community with information by getting on a teleconference or webinar.  If you have any upcoming meetings that you feel would benefit from a presentation on Rural Development's affordable housing, business and economic development and community and infrastructure programs, contact Amy Mund, Public Information Officer, amy.mund@usda.gov, (720) 544-2906.

Community Programs Staff Update

Welcome Jim Van Horn as the new Colorado Community Programs Director. Jim comes to us from the Small Business Administration where he spent the last ten years as the Supervisor in charge of lending relations and economic development. Seven of those years were spent here in Colorado and the remaining three years were in Florida. Jim grew up in Colorado Springs and comes from a long line of military. He is a veteran of both the Navy and the Air Force.  Jim is excited to start a new journey with the USDA and improve the quality of life for rural communities. Jim’s contact information is jim.vanhorn@usda.gov 720-544-2929.

We also want to say goodbye and congratulations to Julie Scruby in our Wray Office on her retirement.  Julie's dedication to Northeast Colorado will be missed.  In in the interim, anyone interested in projects in Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma Counties should contact Joe Montgomery, joe.montgomery@usda.gov, (720) 544-2931.

Click here to find the specialist servicing your county for the Community Facilities Program. 

Click here to find the specialist servicing your county for the Water and Environmental Program. 

RD News and Updates

ReConnect Pilot Program USDA's ReConnect Pilot Program is accepting applications for loans and grants to provide funds to construct, improve or acquire facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. NEW! Application Deadline: April 15, 2020

Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) USDA is seeking applications from utilities and energy efficiency entities to help rural families and small businesses reduce energy costs through energy efficiency improvements. Funding is available for qualified utilities and similar intermediaries to provide loans to rural families and small businesses to help them reduce energy costs and make energy efficiency improvements. The funds also may be used to replace manufactured housing units with more energy-efficient ones.

To apply, applicants must submit a letter of intent to RESP@usda.gov. Paper submissions will not be accepted. USDA will notify selected applicants in writing to submit a loan application. For application deadlines and other details, please see page 18549 of the April 2, 2020, Federal Register.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) USDA Rural Development is accepting applications to support agricultural producers and rural small businesses to reduce energy costs. Application Deadline: April 15, 2020 | Loan Guarantees - Ongoing

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand has announced that USDA is opening a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. 

Due to the COVID-19 National Emergency, USDA is providing an additional window for those who cannot complete applications prior to the first application deadline,” Brand said. “This action will provide more time for applicants to complete their funding requests. Access to distance learning and telemedicine makes it easier for thousands of rural residents to take advantage of health care and educational opportunities without having to travel long distances or be among large groups of people.”

Electronic applications for window two may be submitted through grants.gov beginning April 14, 2020, and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Paper applications will not be accepted under the second window. Additional information on how to apply will be available on grants.gov on April 14. USDA opened the period for the first application window on February 10. That application deadline is April 10.

“This expanded application timeline for distance learning and telemedicine grants offers an additional opportunity for rural Colorado’s educational organizations and healthcare agencies to tap into critical resources that can help bridge the rural-urban divide,” said Sallie Clark, Colorado State Director of USDA Rural Development.

Applicants eligible for DLT grants include most State and local governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses.

Rural Development was provided an additional $25 million in the CARES Act for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program. USDA will make a separate announcement in coming weeks when these funds are available.

Application Guide. Round One Application Deadline: April 10, 2020  Round Two Application Deadline July 13, 2020

Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program USDA Rural Development is accepting applications to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: As determined by the State Office or through April 15, 2020.

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant USDA is making $7.5 million in grants available through the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program to help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters. Electronic Application Deadline: April 30, 2020 via grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: May 5, 2020

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant: Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act USDA is making $7.5 million in grants available through the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program to help rural communities continue their recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters. Electronic Application Deadline: April 30, 2020 via grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: May 5, 2020

Housing Preservation Grant Program USDA Rural Development is accepting Fiscal Year 2020 applications for grants to increase access to clean, reliable water for rural households. Application Deadline: May 7, 2020

Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) April 7 | Free Webinar USDA Rural Development will host a training for qualified intermediaries to learn how to apply for RCDI grants. Participants will learn about program requirements, scoring criteria and application deadlines.

Marble Distillery is paying it forward

Connie Baker is the epitome of the strong sense of community and support in Colorado’s rural areas, so it was no surprise to me when she recently stepped forward to help folks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I first met Connie when she received USDA Rural Development funding through our Rural Energy for America (REAP) program. The funding was for a geo-thermal exchange unit and roof mounted solar system on her Carbondale business. Connie owns the Marble Distillery, well known for its infused vodkas and liquors.

When the Governor recently ordered bars and restaurants closed because of the coronavirus, Connie thought about how she could help her community. As a distiller, the answer was quickly clear…she would use the facility to produce much needed hand sanitizer.

“As soon as Marble heard that distilleries were legal to make sanitizer, we knew we could make sanitizer fairly quickly with our stockpile of raw ingredients. We created a recipe and began making it as fast as possible. As soon as the word got out, we have had a line out front (correctly socially distanced) and are handing it out through the window - it is non-stop. Everyone is in need, police, fire depts, groceries, doctors, so our team feels great helping the community as best we can," said Connie Baker, Head Distiller.

All across America, rural business owners are demonstrating their ingenuity and devotion to their communities. Their employees are also showing dedication and devotion to making a difference. Production began last week and now Rural Development’s assistance is now being paid forward to help communities across our state. At Rural Development our mission is to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. I believe that when we work together, America prospers. The actions of Connie Baker and her staff are just one step to getting us through this pandemic. I know there are more examples around our great country that need to be shared and folks to be celebrated for their actions, because, when America thrives, we all thrive.

Making a House a Home

As a kindergarten teacher and a single mom, it was difficult for Cyndi to find a lender who could help her with a home mortgage loan. To make things worse, the homes in her price range were too small for her and her three children.

A friend suggested that she contact the Housing Resources of Western Colorado (HRWC). HRWC is a non-profit organization that partners as a grantee with USDA Rural Development’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. So, Cyndi scheduled an appointment with a Self-Help family coordinator at HRWC.

With help from staff at the Delta, Colorado USDA Rural Development office, Cyndi got approved for an USDA low interest, no down payment mortgage loan. Cindi was very excited and eager to get things started. However, she had to temper her excitement over the loan with concerns that her limited experience with construction might be an issue.

Cyndi soon discovered that the HRWC program includes a job site manager, construction training for families, and coordination with licensed contractors. She also learned that participating families receive homeownership education, credit counseling, loan packaging, and affordable mortgage options.

Families participating in this program must complete 65 percent of the labor on their homes. For Cindi and the other families that are part of the group, mortgage payments were doable even on her teacher’s salary!

When asked what this home means to her, Cyndi says that this is her first home. “I never owned a house, and we went from military family housing, to military family housing, to rentals. This is a home and its mine. I joke with everyone that I will die in the house. This is mine, this is what I have wanted for a very long time. After working so hard and putting my blood, sweat and tears into this home I will not let it go. These homes become a part of the families who build them. There are things written inside the walls that mean something to each of them. What is written is a part of each of their histories.”

The experience not only built Cyndi’s family a beautiful first home of their own, but also built new friendships, and sense of community. Through the HRWC/Rural Development Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, Cyndi developed new skills, self-confidence, and independence, along with a new sense of admiration, appreciation and amazement from her three happy kids!

“Cyndi’s moving story is repeated in rural communities across Colorado and the nation,” said Sallie Clark, Colorado State Director. “This program builds homes and strengthens families.”

Follow us on Twitter at @RD_Colorado

Be sure to keep up to date on all the latest information and funding opportunities with USDA Rural Development Colorado by following us on Twitter. Twitter is a great tool for us to get information out to our customers and borrowers in real time.  Make sure to  check out our account and follow us @RD_Colorado on Twitter.

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