United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that the department is accepting loan and grant applications for projects that create jobs and economic growth in rural communities.

Funds are being made available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through the REDLG program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program and Telecom Program borrowers who will use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that will create and retain jobs. Projects must be located in rural areas or towns with a population of 50,000 or less.

Funds may be used to support:

• business startup costs;
• business expansion;
• business incubators;
• technical assistance feasibility studies;
• advanced telecommunications services and computer networks for medical, educational and job training services; and
• community facilities projects that spur economic development.

Eligible applicants include current, former and potential borrowers of Rural Development’s Electric Program and Telecommunications Program.

Applications are being accepted continuously with funding competition deadlines on Sept. 30, 2021; Dec. 31, 2021; March 31, 2022; and June 30, 2022.

Applications submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on the deadline dates to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located and will compete for the available REDLG funds in that quarter.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office well in advance of the application deadline to ask questions about their project, the program or the application process.

Life is good in Lakin, according to city administrator Michael Heinitz. While Kearny County, where Lakin is the county seat, has reported a smattering of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, there are far fewer there than in other more populated corners of the state. The local economy is humming, Heinitz said, and the city has ample reserves on hand to handle any new projects which might arise. That’s why the town of 2,300 made the unusual decision to refuse federal funding under the American Rescue Act, which pushed out aid to states, counties and cities nationwide. … “If somebody else needed the money, it could go to them instead of us,” Heinitz said.
Source: Dodge Globe

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