Rural

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Puerto Rico

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:
This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Private nonprofits
  • Federally-recognized tribes

Areas that may be served include:

  • Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less — check eligible addresses
  • Tribal lands in rural areas
  • Colonias

Eligible Projects:

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

  • Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
  • Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
  • Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
  • Storm water collection, transmission and disposal

In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

  • Legal and engineering fees
  • Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
  • Start-up operations and maintenance
  • Interest incurred during construction
  • Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
  • Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
  • See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Funding Amount:
Long-term, low-interest loans. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.

Funding Deadline:
Applications are accepted year round.

Contact:
Brian Murray, Acting State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY  13202-2541
Voice: (315) 477-6400
www.rd.usda.gov/pr

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program/pr

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants

This program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local
    governments
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Federally-recognized Tribes

Eligible Projects:
Grants may be used to pay part of the costs of developing a complete application for USDA Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs.

Funding Source:
United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs.

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
Help is always available through your local RD office.
Participating non-profit associations also offer assistance and training. You can work with your local Rural Development staff to learn about available help in your area.

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-predevelopment-planning-grants

USDA Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants

This program helps qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; helps applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants; and helps associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas.

Eligible Recipients:
Nonprofits that have the proven ability, background, experience and capacity to provide technical assistance or training on a national, regional or state basis.

What is an eligible area? Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less — check eligible addresses. Tribal lands in rural areas.

Eligible Projects:

  • To identify and evaluate solutions to water problems related to source, storage, treatment, distribution, collection, treatment and disposal.
  • To provide technical assistance and training to improve management, operations and maintenance of water and waste disposal systems.
  • To prepare water and waste disposal loan and grant applications.

Funding Source:
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount:
This is a reimbursement grant. Grants are subject to the availability of funds.

Deadline:
Single-state applications are accepted annually through your local RD office from October 1 – December 31. Multi-state or national applications are accepted through the RD national office.

Contact:
Contact your local RD office
National Office contact: Lorrie Davis
(202) 720-1938
Lorrie.davis@usda.gov

More Information:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants

USDA SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities & Households

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Most state and local governmental entities
  • Nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes

Areas to be served must be rural and financially distressed:

  • Rural areas with a population of 2,500 or less
  • Have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data

Eligible Projects:

The predevelopment planning costs must be related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:

  • Construct, enlarge, extend or improve rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal and storm wastewater disposal facilities
  • Construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, fences or utilities, and to make other public improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities
  • Relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or utilities, and other private improvements necessary for the successful operation or protection of facilities

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Funding Amount: TBD

Funding Deadline:
Applications for this program are accepted year round through your local RD office.

Contact:
USDA Rural Development | New York State Office
Brian Murray, Acting State Director
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541
(315) 477-6400
www.rd.usda.gov/ny

More Information:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/search-special-evaluation-assistance-rural-communities-and-households