Grant Program:

PURPOSE

Community Grants assist development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 people. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small, poor, needy communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.

ELIGIBILITY

Public Bodies

Non-Profit Corporations

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes

FUND USE

Construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve health services facilities

Construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community, social or cultural facilities and services

Purchase of major equipment which provides an essential service to rural residents

 (ex: ambulance or fire truck)

MAXIMUM AMOUNTS

Grant assistance may be available for up to 75% of project costs

In most instances, projects which receive grant assistance have a high priority and are highly leveraged with other loan and grant awards

Grant funding limitations are based on population, income, economic feasibility, and the availability of funds

INELIGIBLE FUND USE

Community grants may not be used to finance recreational facilities or community antenna television services or facilities

Community grants may not pay any annual recurring costs, including purchases or rentals that are generally considered to be operating and maintenance expenses

Community grants may not pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial rental where the applicant has no control over tenants and services offered

Community grants may not construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing state, federal or quasi-federal agencies

Community grants may not be used to construct or repair electric generating plants, electric transmission lines, or gas distribution lines to provide services for commercial sale

RESTRICTIONS

Projects – Projects providing healthcare, public safety, public & community services

Low-income Communities – the highest priority goes to projects serving communities with median household incomes below the higher poverty line or 60% of the State non-metropolitan median household income 

Small Communities – the highest priority goes to projects located in a community with a population of 5,000 or less

APPLY TODAY

To get started building your future today, contact your Local Area Office to fill out an application packet and begin the approval process