Business and Cooperative Programs
USDA Rural Development works in partnership with the private sector, local governments and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. It also provides technical assistance to rural businesses and cooperatives, conducts research into rural economic issues, and provides cooperative educational materials to the public.
Rural Development Business Programs help fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs, encourage renewable energy/energy efficiency and promote a clean rural environment. USDA financial resources are often leveraged with those of other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in underserved areas. Recipients of these programs may include individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes and private companies. Rural Development Business Programs include Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans, Intermediary Relending Program Loans, Rural Business Enterprise Grants, Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants, Rural Business Opportunity Grants, Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Grants and Guaranteed Loans, and Rural Cooperative Development Grants. Visit the following site for a complete overview: Business Programs.
USDA's Cooperative Programs help rural residents form new cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives (user-owned businesses). To accomplish this, Cooperative Programs provides the technical assistance to cooperatives. Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG) are made to agricultural producers for planning and working capital for innovative methods that add value to agricultural production. Visit the following site for a complete overview: Cooperative Programs.
Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program Information
Links to Regulations
Energy Program Information
For more information on Louisiana Rural Development's Energy Programs, including application procedures, click: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/LA_REAP.html.
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
For more information contact:
Business and Cooperatives Program
3727 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302
Phone: (318) 473-7960 | Fax: (318) 473-7829
Helpful Links
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