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Save the Date!
Lender Lens Webinar, January 15
 Through the Lender Lens: The Public Launch of Rural Development’s Commercial Guaranteed Loan Portfolio
Join National Rural Lenders Association and USDA Rural Development for the public debut of the Lender Lens on the Rural Data Gateway. Lender Lens puts Rural Development’s commercial guaranteed loan data into the hands of the public, offering a series of interactive visualizations that make it easier to monitor performance, spot trends, and proactively manage loan guarantee portfolios.
The dashboards highlight key metrics, including total loan volume, average size, loan distribution by sector, geographic spread, and even delinquency rates, giving users a clear view of how Rural Development investments are supporting businesses and communities nationwide. The Rural Data Gateway and the new Lender Lens dashboards reflect RD’s commitment to data transparency as we carry out our mission to promote prosperity in rural communities.
Date: Thursday, January 15 at 1:00 PM (EST)
Webinar Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3F1ew1WSRLyZ_reufMyJBQ
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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
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
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Funding Opportunities Supporting
Community and Economic Development
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses. Application deadline: Applications are accepted from lenders year-round.
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: 3/31/2026
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
Subscribe to Innovation Matters to stay current on open funding opportunities!
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Rural Development Data and Tools |
Investments Dashboards–10 years of downloadable RD investment data with Program Area, State, County, and Congressional District views.
RD Investments by Industry Sector Dashboards– More granular look at the broad range of industry sectors and subsectors Rural Development supports that includes Program Area, County, and Congressional District views.
RD Mapping Data and Tools Maps– that identify eligible areas served by our Programs, as well as other useful maps and data tools.
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Events / Learning |
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 Opening Soon
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Apr.14-17, 2026 Hybrid In-Person –Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) reaffirms Indigenous Peoples’ rights to govern the collection, ownership, and application of their data. Indigenous scholars, Tribal leaders and other data actors come together to discuss emerging problems, research, and solutions to modern Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Governance. Register Here
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Discover informative stories and actionable steps toward Rural Prosperity.
The book delves into the challenges of our past and the promise of our future in rural communities. Ultimately, Investing in Rural Prosperity is a call to action, so we can realize that promise—together.
Nearly 80 authors contributed chapters to the book, and represent financial institutions, nonprofits, philanthropies, academia and government agencies. The chapters touch on a range of topics, including entrepreneurship support, workforce development, energy-efficient manufactured housing and digital inclusion. Request Your Copy
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Contacts/Subscription
