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 and Direct 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.

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.

Business and Cooperative Contacts:

Gregg White, Program Director
1835 Assembly Street, Suite 1007
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 765-5881
Email: gregg.white@sc.usda.gov

Shannon Legree, Specialist
Energy Programs
1835 Assembly Street, Suite 1007
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 253-3150
Email: shannon.legree@sc.usda.gov

Debbie Turbeville, Specialist
Agricultural Marketing Specialist
215 Third Loop Road, Suite 100
Florence, SC 29205
Phone: (843) 669-9686 ext. 133
Email: debbie.turbeville@sc.usda.gov

Helpful Links:

• Summary of Business and Cooperative Programs
• Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program (BI) - Rural Development Business and Cooperative Programs (BCP) guarantees loans made to banks to provide financial backing for rural businesses which create jobs and stimulate the rural economy.
• Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) - Rural Development BCP loans money to a local revolving loan fund for relending to nonfarm businesses.
• Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDLG) - Rural Development BCP makes loans to utilities to be reloaned and grants to capitalize revolving loan funds for local community or business projects.
• Rural Micro-Entrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) - Rural Development BCP makes loans to capitalize revolving loan funds and grants for micro-lenders to assist their borrowers.
• Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) - Rural Development BCP makes grants to local economic development groups to assist private business development.
• Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) - Rural Development BCP makes grants to support general economic growth and planning.
• Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) - Rural Development BCP makes grants to centers for rural cooperative development.
• Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) - Rural Development BCP makes grants for technical assistance projects for agricultural production.
• Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) - Rural Development BCP provides matching grants for value-added agricultural production ventures.
• USDA Rural Energy for America Program 9007/Grant/Loan (REAP) - Rural Development BCP makes grants and guarantees loans made by banks to small businesses and agricultural producers to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy development. Rural Development BCP also provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct a stand-alone feasibility study for a renewable energy system or for a Energy Audit Grant.
• Bio-refinery Assistance Guarantee Loans (9003) - Rural Development BCP guarantees loans for the development and construction of commercial-scale bio-refineries.