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March is proving to be a busy month and several members of Montana’s Rural Development team have been on the road, visiting communities along the Highline and in the Southeastern part of the state, to better understand these communities' needs and how we can better invest in these areas.
We have several funding opportunities open, with application deadlines coming up quickly! Keep reading for more details, or use the link below to watch my video update.
And, as always, I invite you to stay connected, through our Twitter feed, to ensure you have the most up-to-date info about USDA RD Montana happenings.
My best to you all as we welcome in spring and, hopefully, a bit warmer weather!
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Our Community Facilities and Water and Environmental Programs team will be at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls March 23-25 for the Montana Rural Water Systems conference. Come see us and let’s talk about how Rural Development can help your community with your water infrastructure needs!
Click on the picture above to see how Harlowton, Mont., a rural community which also serves as Wheatland County’s seat, modernized their wastewater system with assistance through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. They used these funds to transition to UV technology and process the city’s waste into water that’s clean enough to drink!
Applications for Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grants are due no later than May 23rd.
This funding opportunity is a great way for eligible public bodies, as well as private and nonprofit organizations, to receive grant monies which can be used to provide technical assistance and training to help identify and plan for community facility needs.
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Did you know that, on April 4th, the federal government will transition from requiring DUNS Numbers to using the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) system? If you are doing business, or plan to do business, with USDA Rural Development, you'll need a Unique Entity Identifier, which can be created in SAM.gov.
Our Value-Added Producer Grant cycle closes on April 25th for electronic applications, and May 2nd for paper applications.
Interested applicants, including Montana’s agricultural producers, are encouraged to submit applications which will generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
CLICK HERE for a complete list of awardees from the last funding cycle and feel free to reach out to Marlee Sandry or Heather Handeland for more information.
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If you are a small business owner looking for ways to reduce your energy costs and lighten your energy load, check out our Rural Energy for America Program. We are accepting REAP applications until March 31st!
Don't forget to visit the Key Priorities website to see how you can make your application more competitive.
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We are excited to announce that that the maximum loan amount for our Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program, for low-income home ownership, has been increased in all counties around the state! Read on for more information!
Effective March 1, 2022, the current interest rate for Single Family Housing Direct home loans is 2.50% for low-income and very low-income borrowers.
Fixed interest rate based on current market rates at loan approval or loan closing, whichever is lower.
The interest rate, when modified by payment assistance, can be as low as 1% with up to a 33 year payback period (or a 38 year payback period for very low income applicants who can’t afford the 33 year loan term).
Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities.
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We are also thrilled to report that our Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program increased funding thresholds so you can get assistance with loans to repair, improve or modernize your home or grants to remove health and safety hazards in your living space!
More Information:
- Maximum loan is $40,000
- Maximum grant is $10,000
- Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance
What are the terms of the loan or grant?
- Loans are termed for 20 years
- Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%
- Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000 and must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years
CLICK HERE to see a list of Montana Rural Development's offices and our staff's contact information.
The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program has prepared a comprehensive library of resources for all lending partners. Click on the photo above to access to all of the training, resources, and important forms for program participation. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us.
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Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical & Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development program that provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Application Deadline: 4/1/2022
Rural Energy Pilot Program U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development offers this new program to support underserved communities deploy community-scale renewable energy technologies and innovations to reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. Federal Register. Letter of Intent Required: 4/19/2022
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development encourages a regional, innovation-driven approach to economic development by funding job accelerator partnerships in low-income rural communities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/19/2022
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development program which provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations to help microenterprises startup/grow through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs. Application Deadline: Third Quarter, March 31, 2022; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2022.
Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems Grants U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development invests in rural transportation, through the Rural Business Development Grant, to build opportunity for prosperity for organizations seeking to improve passenger services and facilities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/14/2022
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development program that provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: Open
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MORE FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, CAN BE FOUND IN THE USDA RD "INNOVATION MATTERS" NEWSLETTER.
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We have several Resource Guides available which outline USDA RD programs that can help Montana's rural residents, businesses and communities!
- Broadband Resources for Rural America: PDF
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COVID19 Federal Rural Resource Guide: PDF
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Disaster Resiliency and Recovery Guide:PDF
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Guía de recursos conjuntos: PDF
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Joint Childcare Resource Guide: PDF
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Recreational Economy: PDF
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Recursos de resistencia y recuperación en caso de desastres: PDF
- Resources for Rural Entrepreneurs: PDF
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Rural Workforce Guide: PDF
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Tribal Report - 2019: PDF
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