Community Programs, a division of the Rural Housing Service, is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area. Community Programs administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.

• Community Facilities Direct Loan Program

• Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program

• Community Facilities Grant Program

• Success Stories and Innovative Models

  • Alaskan Health Clinic Project, Wales, Alaska

    • An isolated whaling village now has much-needed medical care

  • Eagle Grove Community Child Care Center

    • Eagle Grove, Iowa - A small community pulls together.

  • Blackfeet Community College, Browning, Montana

    • Community college students get first-rate classrooms.

  • Buena Vista Township, New Jersey

    • New rescue squad off to a great start.

  • Fortescue Fire/Rescue and Dive Team, Fortescue, New Jersey

    • After Hurricane Floyd, a newly purchased sonic fire and rescue jet comes to the rescue.

  • Franklin Museum of New Athens, Inc., Harrison County, Ohio

    • A living monument to freedom.