​​​

A monthly publication brought to you by the USDA Rural Development Innovation Center's Strategic Engagement Division. 

Funding

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure

Community Facilities Direct Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Projects include fire and rescue stations, town halls, health care clinics and hospitals. Application deadline: Open

Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to eligible lenders to develop essential community facilities (CF) in rural areas. Examples of community facilities include health care facilities, buildings like town halls, and public safety facilities such as fire departments. Application deadline: Open

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides insured loans and loan guarantees to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of electric distribution facilities in rural areas. Application deadline: Open

Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development works with qualified private-sector lenders to provide financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns. Application deadline: Open

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Application deadline: Open

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Office of Infrastructure Deployment provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. Application deadline: 2/24/2026

Funding Opportunities Supporting
Community and Economic Development

Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. Application deadline: 12/31/2025

Timber Production and Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to establish, reopen, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood processing facility that process ecosystem restoration byproducts from USDA Forest Service National Forest System lands. Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until funds are expended.

Water and Waste Disposal Pre-development Planning Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to help eligible low-income, rural communities plan and develop applications for the Water and Waste Disposal loan/grant and loan guarantee programs. Application deadline: Open

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant Competition U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) grants allow more vacant and abandoned properties to be turned into community assets that can attract jobs and promote economic revitalization in communities. Application deadline: 1/28/2026

Subscribe to Innovation Matters to stay current on open funding opportunities!

Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations web page offers a calendar of events, funding opportunities, news releases, success stories, and more!

Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this program to help remote Alaskan villages provide safe, reliable drinking water and waste-disposal systems for households and businesses. Application deadline: Open

Tribal College Initiative Grants U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Rural Development provides funding to Tribal colleges for infrastructure improvements, to purchase equipment, and to develop essential community facilities. Application deadline: Open

Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development helps get safe, reliable drinking water and waste-disposal services to low-income communities that face significant health risks. Application deadline: Open

Resources

Find Your Local Service Center- USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Click on your state and county to find your local service center and agency offices.

For Water & Environmental Engineers- A convenient webpage providing important engineering reference documents for water and environmental programs.

Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development- Interested in peer reviewed articles focused solely on food- and farming-related community development? JAFSCD is a great resource to check out.

Troubleshooting Federal Award Challenges-Learn how to navigate common challenges in managing federal awards from the American Indigenous Tourism Association.

Unlocking Opportunities: USDA Rural Development Programs for Native CDFIs-The Native CDFI Network presents a collaborative effort built to better access, leverage, and understand USDA programs in ways that align with your CDFI’s mission and your community’s needs.

Working with Tribal Nations-The National Indian Health Board’s project and its resulting e-course are intended to educate state and federal government officials on effective engagement with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes.

USDA Rural Development Success Story

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program Helps Boyceville Homeowner Find Peace of Mind Heading into Winter in Rural Wisconsin

“This program changes everything,” David said. I tell everyone I can about it.”

Boyceville resident David Jacott is heading into winter with greater peace of mind, knowing his home is better protected against ice and water damage. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (RD) Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants Program, David received funding to install new gutters and properly slope the concrete away from his house to prevent ice buildup and foundation issues.

Read More...

Dec. 23, 2025 | Virtual – Water and Environmental Programs Emergency Response Training – The Midwest Assistance Program trains rural communities to be aware, prepared and resilient in the event of any type of emergency. Register Here

Jan.19-20, 2026 | Virtual – New Year, New Priorities: Resetting Focus, Strategy & Momentum for 2026 – Leadership Connect preps leaders across government to meet the demands of AI governance, tech modernization, and cross-sector collaboration. Register Here

Feb.19-20, 2026 | Hybrid – USDA’s 102nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum – This is your chance to connect with top professionals in the agriculture industry and gain insights into the future of agriculture! Save the date and plan to attend either in-person at the event in Arlington, Virginia or online. Registration Coming Soon

​Contacts/Subscription

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

View the previous edition of Innovation Matters

Email: rd.innovation@usda.gov | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

***

Websites and hyperlinks provided are for reference only. USDA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, or applications.

Not Subscribed? Sign up today

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences  |  Delete Profile  |  Help