Water and Waste Programs
WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL DIRECT LOANS
Direct loans may be made to develop water and wastewater system, including
solid waste disposal and storm drainage, in rural areas and to cities and towns
with a population of 10,000 or less. Funds are available to public entities,
such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, and Indian tribes.
In addition, funds may be made available to corporations operated on a
not-for-profit basis.
Priority will be given to public entities, in areas with less than 5,500
people, to restore a deteriorating water supply, or to improve, enlarge, or
modify a water facility or an inadequate waste facility. Applicants must be
unable to obtain funds from other sources at reasonable rates and terms. The
maximum term for all loans is 40 years; however, no repayment period will
exceed state statues or the useful life of the facility.
WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL GUARANTEED LOANS
Guaranteed Loans may be made for the same purpose as direct loans. They
are made and serviced by lenders such as banks and savings and loan associations.
Normally, guarantees will not exceed 80 percent on any loss of interest and
principal on the loan.
WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL GRANTS
The purpose is to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable
level for users of the system. Grants may be made, in some instances, up to
75 percent of eligible project costs. Eligible applicants are the same as
for loans.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING GRANTS
Grants made to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and/or
training to associations located in rural areas and to cities and towns with a
population of 10,000 or less.
Assistance may be provided to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste
disposal problems, to improve the operation and maintenance of existing water and
waste disposal facilities, and to assist associations in preparing applications for
water and waste disposal facilities.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS
Grants to public and private nonprofit organizations to provide technical
assistance and/or training to associations located in rural areas and to cities and
towns with a population of 10,000 or less.
Assistance may be provided to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources,
and to improve planning and management of solid waste facilities; and may also be used
to provide enhancement of operator skills in operations and maintenance, identify
threats to water resources, and reduce the solid waste stream.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM
The RUS Telecommunications Program also administers the Distance
Learning and Telemedicine Program (DLT), which is designed specifically to meet
the educational and health care needs of rural America. Through loans,
grants, and loan and grant combinations, advanced telecommunications
technologies provide enhanced learning and health care opportunities for rural
residents.
Information about the RUS Telecommunications' DLT program is available from
the national office of the Rural Utilities Service. Each year, there is a
window for submitting grant applications that are scored and awarded on a
competitive basis. Applications for loans and the loan/grant combinations
are accepted throughout the year.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
USDA, Rural Development Ted K. Matsuo - Program Director Hawaii State Office Empowerment Zone Coordinator ATTN: Rural Utilities Service Telephone: (808) 933-8310 Room 311, Federal Building FAX: (808) 933-8327 154 Waianuenue Avenue E-Mail: ted.matsuo@hi.usda.gov Hilo, HI 96720
Please send any comments or suggestions to:
HIRDwebmaster@rurdev.usda.gov