Rural Business and Cooperative Programs

and Energy Programs

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ENERGY - Energy Fact Sheets
    Energy Programs with USDA
    Energy Programs with RD

America 21st century energy landscape presents needs that are greater than ever before. We face new challenges to reduce dependence on imported oil; to improve the environment; and to make clean, sustainable and affordable energy alternatives available to businesses and agricultural producers. USDA Rural Development is helping to lead the way in the agriculture sector finding energy solutions in our fields and helping rural residents and communities access renewable energy systems and use energy more efficiently. USDA Rural Development provides funding opportunities in the form of payments, grants, loans, and loan guarantees, for the development and commercialization of renewable energy sources including wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, ocean waves, hydroelectric, biomass, and biofuel (ethanol, biodiesel, etc.) to change the way people power their homes, businesses, and industries. By making renewable energy sources commercially viable, USDA Rural Development is also creating sustainable opportunities for wealth, new jobs, and increased economic activity in rural America.

A few of our programs specific to energy include:

To see what funding opportunities are available, see the Energy Matrix or contact our state Energy Coordinator, Angela Prioleau at angela.prioleau@fl.usda.gov for more information.

Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans - (click for more info) - The Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program creates jobs and stimulates rural economies by providing financial backing for rural businesses.  This program guarantees up to 80 percent of a loan made by a commercial lender.  The program's target areas are rural communities with a population of less than 50,000. Refer to our Business Program Loan Guarantee Lender Guide for more information. The State Office is the contact office for this program.

Intermediary Relending Program Loans - (click for more info) - Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) Loans finance business facilities and community development projects in rural areas, including cities with a population of less than 25,000. USDA, Rural Business Service (RBS) lends these funds to intermediaries which, in turn, provide loans to recipients who are developing business facilities or community development projects. This program is handled through our Area Offices around the State.

Rural Business Enterprise Grants - (RBEG) (click for more info) - help public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and federally recognized Indian tribal groups finance and facilitate development of small and emerging private business enterprises located in rural areas with a population of less than 50,000.  The Agency is not authorized to award grants to assist individuals to start, operate, expand, rebuild or purchase a business. This program is handled through our Area Offices around the State.

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (click for more info) - Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDL/G) are available to any Rural Utilities Service electric or telecommunications borrower to assist in developing rural areas from an economic standpoint, to create new job opportunities, and to help retain existing employment. This program is handled through our Area Offices around the State.

Cooperative Development Services - The Cooperative Development Services program of RBS helps rural residents form new cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives. To accomplish this, Cooperative Services provides technical assistance, conducts cooperative-related research, and produces information products to promote public understanding of cooperatives. The State Office is the contact office for this program.

Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) (click for more info) - RBOG grants provide technical assistance to facilitate sustainable economic development in rural communities located in a city or town that is not larger than 50,000 population. Eligible applicants are public bodies, non-profit corporations and federally-recognized Indian tribes. The Agency is not authorized to award this grant to assist individuals. This program is handled through our Area Offices around the State.

For questions please contact our State Office Rural Business-Cooperative Service section.