COLORADO

Rural Development
Utilities Service Programs

Select resources to find additional information on Rural Utilities Services.
 

Water & Waste Disposal Loan and Grant

Purpose:  What is the Program's Goal?  To develop and repair water, sewer, storm drainage, and solid waste systems in rural areas. 

Program Types: How does it work?  USDA Rural Development makes loans and grants for water and waste disposal facilities.

Eligible Applicants:  Who can apply?  Public bodies (e.g., cities and counties), non-profits (e.g., mutual water companies), and Indian tribes.

Eligible Areas:  Unincorporated rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000.  

Authorized Purposes:  What can funds be used for?  Loans can be used for construction, equipment engineering, and legal expenses.  Eligible projects include water, sewer, solid waste and storm drainage systems -- both new and repair projects - for domestic and industrial (but not for irrigation) users.

Typical Amount of Assistance: $100,000 - $3,000,000.

Rates & Terms (rates subject to change): Loan: maximum repayment 40 years, interest rates set quarterly based on index of current market yields for municipal obligations.

Keys to Success:  Loans must be fully secured by revenues or assessments.  Grants are only available to the neediest applicants and may pay for up to 75% of the project depending on population and income.  

When to Apply:  Year round. 

Who to Contact:  Program is administered through the Business & Community Program.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guaranteed

Purpose:  What is the Program's Goal?  Provide an incentive for commercial lending that will finance water, sewer, storm drainage, and solid waste systems in rural areas. 

Program Types: How does it work?  USDA Rural Development guaranteed up to 90% of loans made by banks.

Eligible Applicants:  Who can apply?  Banks and other commercial lenders. 

Eligible Areas:  Unincorporated rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000.  

Authorized Purposes:  What can funds be used for?  Loans can be used for construction, equipment engineering, and legal expenses.  Eligible projects include water, sewer, solid waste and storm drainage systems -- both new and repair projects - for domestic and industrial (but not for irrigation) users. 

Typical Amount of Assistance: $500,000 - $5,000,000.

Rates & Terms (rates subject to change): Negotiated between business and lender.  Fixed or variable rates allowed.

Keys to Success:  Lender driven; there must be a bank willing to make the loan.  USDA Rural Development only guarantees the loan.  Non profits (e.g., mutual water companies) are targeted.  

When to Apply:  Year round.  

Who to Contact: Program administered by Business & Community Program.

Solid Waste Management Grant

Purpose:  What is the Program's Goal?  To support recycling education and solid waste planning

Program Types: How does it work?  USDA Rural Development makes grants to improve solid waste handling.

Eligible Applicants:  Who can apply?  Public bodies (e.g., counties and joint power authorities), Indian tribes, and non-profits. 

Eligible Areas:  Unincorporated rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000.  

Authorized Purposes:  What can funds be used for?  The funds cans be used for technical assistance, planning, and community education projects. 

Typical Amount of Assistance: $50,000.

When to Apply:  October 1 - December 31, projects funded on selection at national level. 

Who to Contact: Program administered by Business & Community Program.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine - Loan and Grant

Purpose:  What is the Program's Goal:  To support the development and deployment of advanced telemedicine and distance learning systems in rural areas.

Program Types: How does it work?  USDA Rural Development makes loans and grants to those in need.

Eligible Applicants:  Who can apply?  Rural schools, colleges, and universities, non-profit hospitals, libraries, health care clinics, Indian tribes, consortiums or partnerships, other incorporated organizations and related organizations which operate rural educational or health care facilities

Eligible Areas:  Unincorporated rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000.

Authorized Purposes:  What can funds be used for?  The funds cans be used for initial capital and hardware costs that will enhance telecommunication capabilities for either public education or medical purposes. 

Typical Amount of Assistance: $50,000 - $300,000 for grants.  No limits for loans. 

Rates & Terms (rates subject to change):  Fixed based on Government cost of funds; 10 years and/or Grant

When to Apply:  Once a year.

Who to Contact: Program is administered through the Business & Community Program.