Stakeholder Announcements

(December 19, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the certification of two new Rural Business Investment Companies under USDA’s Rural Business Investment Program. Stakeholder Announcement

(December 17, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced a proposal to eliminate the requirement to publish an annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, commonly known in the housing industry as Section 538.  | Stakeholder Announcement 

(December 13, 2018)  Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that Bette Brand, the Administrator for USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), will serve temporarily as the Acting Administrator for USDA’s Rural Utilities Service while remaining Administrator of RBS. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 23, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today issued a proposal to complete USDA-financed infrastructure projects more quickly. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 20, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is increasing by $250 the fees for certified loan packagers in the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program and the Single Family Housing Repair Loan and Grant program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 15, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is accepting applications for loans and loan guarantees to extend access to broadband services in rural communities. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 15, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking Fiscal Year 2019 applications for projects that promote economic development and create jobs in rural areas. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 24, 2018) USDA Announces Improvements to Online Tool to Help Customers Better Assess Eligibility for the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 9, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk as the agency’s Chief Innovation Officer. Ponti-Lazaruk will build upon the Innovation Center’s successful first year and grow its ability to drive solutions that improve program delivery and the quality of life in rural America. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 9, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking comments on a proposal to simplify income eligibility and asset rules for the Department’s single family housing loan programs. Stakeholder Announcement

(September 12, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to repair water and wastewater systems damaged by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 29, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to increase access to health care under USDA’s Delta Health Care Services Grant program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 24, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is inviting organizations to join a national network of public-private partners to support rural workforce development and skills management. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 17, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is seeking applications to provide cooperative agreement funding through the Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 14, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today invited applications for loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 3, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funding under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(July 18, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA has simplified the application process for lenders applying for guarantees through two key businesses programs. Lenders can now use the same loan guarantee application form for the Business and Industry (B&I) loan guarantee program and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), regardless of the loan amount. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 27, 2018) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking pre-applications for Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants for Fiscal Year 2018. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 25, 2018) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Joby Young as Chief of Staff of USDA Rural Development. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 25, 2018) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents. The grants are being provided through USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 21, 2018) Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service Administrator Joel Baxley today announced the selection of the National Multi-Family Housing Site Managers and Maintenance Person of the Year for 2018. The awards were presented in front of Rural Development staff and family members of the winners at the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing’s (CARH) Annual Meeting. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 13, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett on Tuesday convened lender and financial partners at the Rural Development National Lender Forum to strengthen public-private partnerships and expand access to capital in rural communities using a OneRD approach. | Stakeholder Announcement

May 30, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is seeking applications for grants under the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 30, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is seeking applications for grants under USDA's Rural Cooperative Development Grant program (RCDG). | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 23, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA has made the first disbursement of loan funds under the Community Facilities (CF) Re-Lending program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 22, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for projects that promote economic development and create jobs in rural areas. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 10, 2018) Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for projects that support multi-jurisdictional plans under the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 7, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced Claudette Fernandez will serve as the Chief Innovation Officer of the Rural Development Innovation Center. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 3, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help rural communities develop locally-based solutions and access financial resources to build economic prosperity. | Stakeholder Announcement

(April 26, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to support economic development in rural communities. | Stakeholder Announcements

(April 20, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications to encourage the use of renewable biomass as an alternative for fossil fuels to operate eligible biorefineries. | Stakeholder Announcement

(April 17, 2018) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that USDA is accepting applications for loans under its long-standing Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to extend broadband infrastructure in eligible rural communities.  | Stakeholder Announcement

(April 3, 2018) - USDA and private lenders are working together to expand financing options for rural water and wastewater projects. | Stakeholder Announcement

(March 21, 2018) - The proposed ineligible area maps for the Rural Development Single Family Housing and Multi-Family Housing programs have been posted to the USDA Income and Property Eligibility Site at https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov. | Stakeholder Announcement

(March 16, 2018) - Innovation Center Hosts Stakeholders to Share Innovative Ideas to Bring Prosperity Back to Rural Communities. | Stakeholder Announcement

(March 15, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today invited applications for loan guarantees and grants for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects. | Stakeholder Announcement

(March 9, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced three leadership changes at Rural Development. | Stakeholder Announcement

(February 28, 2018) - USDA Rural Development today announced Rural Development’s Customer Service Center (CSC) will be realigned to the National Financial and Accounting Operations Center (NFAOC). | Stakeholder Announcement

(February 27, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to help preserve affordable, rural rental housing. | Stakeholder Announcement

(February 8, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced Roger Glendenning will serve as Rural Development’s Deputy Administrator of Single Family Housing. | Stakeholder Announcement

(February 7, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is helping Patton Village, Texas, rebuild after Hurricane Harvey caused extensive damage last summer. | Stakeholder Announcement

{February 6, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today touted the appointment of Kenneth Johnson as the Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service. | Stakeholder Announcement

(February 5, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the latest innovation in the simplified application process for affordable rural water and waste infrastructure improvements. | Stakeholder Announcement

(January 25, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the certification of a new Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC), the Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund, L.P., under USDA’s Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP). | Stakeholder Announcement

(January 18, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Gil Gonzalez as Chief of Staff. | Stakeholder Announcement

(January 16, 2018) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced a regulation improvement that will expand eligibility for and simplify the administration of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 19, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Curtis Anderson as Acting Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Housing Service. | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 19. 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA recently finalized a $112.6 million loan guarantee through the Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union to help support the construction of a biorefinery in Storey County, Nev. | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 18, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Bette Brand as the Administrator of Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, effective January 8. | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 4, 2017) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment of Curtis Anderson as Chief of Staff for Rural Development’s Rural Housing Service. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 20, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the appointment and selection of three new executive leaders for USDA Rural Development. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 16, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced new leadership in Rural Development’s Telecommunications Programs | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 14, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced the following changes in Senior Executive Service leadership roles at USDA Rural Development. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 12, 2017) - Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that the nation’s farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives remained on solid financial footing in 2016. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 30, 2017) – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help farmers, ranchers and producer-based businesses nationwide develop new product lines. Value Added Producer Grant Program | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 7, 2017) – Rural Development Acting Deputy Undersecretary Roger Glendenning today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and rural business owners. Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program  | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 1, 2017) - Rural Development Acting Deputy Undersecretary Roger Glendenning announced today that USDA is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant Program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 16, 2017) - USDA Rural Development Acting Undersecretary Roger Glendenning announced today that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. | Stakeholder Announcement

(January 10, 2017) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA is accepting applications for the Community Connect Grant Program for FY 2017. | Stakeholder Announcement

(January 9, 2017) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah announced today that USDA is inviting applications for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee program (the Broadband Program). There will be two application windows for FY 2017. | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 8, 2016) – U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Lisa Mensah is inviting applications for grants under the Household Water Well System (HWWS) program and the Revolving Fund Program (RFP) for fiscal year 2017.  | Stakeholder Announcement

(December 1, 2016) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Lisa Mensah is inviting applications for Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) grants. The grants help rural areas reduce or eliminate water pollution, and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas.  | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 28, 2016) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA is inviting Community Development Financial Institutions to apply for the position of National Fund Manager for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 21, 2016) – United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that the department is seeking applications from eligible applicants to undertake economic development and job creation projects and activities in rural areas. | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 18, 2016) – United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA is seeking applications for investment companies to become new Rural Business Investment Companies (RBIC) under the department’s non-leveraged Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP). | Stakeholder Announcement

(November 9, 2016) - United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah announced today that USDA is seeking public comments on the current rules governing the Rural Business Investment Program. The Department would like to identify additional ways to streamline the program’s regulations and expand access to capital for small rural businesses. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 28, 2016) – USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez today unveiled a set of five dashboards designed to provide key data about and preserve the affordability of USDA’s Multi-Family Housing (MFH) properties. The publicly accessible, user-friendly set - currently available in beta - is designed to help policymakers and industry leaders collect, track and analyze the timeframe for when the USDA mortgage will be paid off, and the property exits USDA’s MFH program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(October 24, 2016) – USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez today announced new incentives to encourage non-profit organizations to acquire and rehabilitate USDA multi-family housing properties. Eligible non-profit organizations can take advantage of these changes on March 1, 2017. | Stakeholder Announcement

(September 22, 2016) – Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today announced that USDA’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) will be able to finance more than 400 additional direct home loans to very-low- and low-income rural residents in FY 2016. USDA is making an additional $58.4 million available by transferring unused money from other RHS programs to the Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 16, 2016) – USDA Rural Development programs are covered by guidance that recommends assistance be offered to those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to ensure they understand services and resources available to them. Rural Development is offering LEP webinars to provide information for Federally Assisted Programs that offer loans. The webinars are open to anyone interested in attending and each webinar will cover the same content and is scheduled for approximately two hours. | Stakeholder Announcement

(August 3, 2016) – Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today released a report that outlines the costs to maintain and upgrade USDA’s inventory of multi-family housing units. | Stakeholder Announcement | Report

(July 22, 2016) USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Lillian Salerno today announced that the Rural Housing Service (RHS) is releasing a suite of investment data to increase transparency and better educate stakeholders and appropriators about RHS program investments. The data suite includes information about loans, loan guarantees, and grants invested through RHS Single Family Housing, Multi-family Housing, and Community Facilities programs. | Stakeholder Announcement

(June 30, 2016)  – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development is making funds available to community lending institutions that qualify as eligible lenders through a new program called the Community Facilities Relending Program. | Stakeholder Announcement | Federal Register Notice

(June 14, 2016) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking applications from non-profit financial institutions for loans to finance rural electric and/or telecommunications infrastructure. | Stakeholder Announcement

(May 24, 2016) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking comments on how the Rural Utilities Service should develop the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). This is a new program recently authorized by Congress. | Stakeholder Announcement

(April 8, 2016) – USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator Brandon McBride today announced that the Department is accepting applications for loans to bring broadband to underserved rural areas. | Stakeholder Announcement

(September 29, 2014) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is seeking applications from producers of advanced biofuels to participate in the Department’s Advanced Biofuels Payment Program. | Stakeholder Announcement