U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Georgia Overview of Programs

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1 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Georgia Overview of Programs Presented by: Jack Stanek, Community Programs Director & Kathy Ross, Area Director June 2015

2 Rural communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life for residents, and build on assets such as traditional main streets, agricultural and working lands, and natural resources. USDA s historic and extensive presence in rural America provides rich opportunities for supporting community and economic development, improving housing options, and strengthening local and regional food systems. USDA programs can help implement community plans funded by the Partnership agencies, which is particularly important in small communities that may lack the resources and capacity to put their visions and goals into practice. Communities can leverage a wide range of tools and resources to build on their assets, protect their resources, and make strategic investments that offer long-term benefits.

3 USDA Rural Development promotes economic development by supporting loans, providing grants and offering technical assistance. Additionally, through Community Economic Development initiatives such as StrikeForce and SET (Stronger Economies Together), we help communities undertake community empowerment programs. USDA Rural Development has a $210 billion portfolio of loans, loan guarantees and grants administered through our programs each Fiscal Year (October 1- September 30) We achieve our mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs.

4 USDA Rural Development s financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. There are three Agencies of USDA Rural Development: 1. Rural Utility Service (RUS) Telecommunications, Electrical, Water / Waste Water and Environmental Programs 2. Rural Business Service (RBS) Business and Cooperative Programs 3. Rural Housing Service (RHS) Housing and Community Programs

5 RUS Utilities programs connect rural residents to the global economy by: Increasing access to broadband and 21st century telecommunications services; Funding sustainable renewable energy development and conservation; Financing reliable and affordable electric systems; Working to integrate smart grid technologies; and Developing rural water and wastewater systems to help address water quality. These investments support our long-term national prosperity by ensuring that rural communities have the basic infrastructure to become self-sustaining with the ability to compete in the global economy.

6 Georgia RUS Contacts Electric and Telecommunications programs are administered from Washington D.C., contact the General Field Representative Electrification- Josef Gardner (706) Telecommunications- Andrew Hayes (770) Water and Waste programs are administered at the state level, contact Rural Development Georgia- Community Programs Division (706)

7 RBS Business and Cooperatives Programs Through its Business Programs, USDA Rural Development provides for business credit needs in under-served rural areas, often in partnership with private-sector lenders. We also promote the understanding and use of the cooperative form of business. We help rural residents form new cooperatives and improve the operations of existing ones.

8 RBS Business Programs Georgia Contacts Business and Cooperatives Programs Division (706) Karen Davis, Director Business & Industry Loan Guarantees Andy Arnold Phone: (706) Samuel Kirkland Phone: (706) Intermediary Relending Program Rural Business Development Grants Rural Business Investment Program Rural Economic Development Loans & Grants Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Toni Grimes Phone: (706)

9 RBS Energy and Cooperative Programs Georgia Contacts Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants Value Added Producer Grants Rural Cooperative Development Grants Advanced Biofuel Payment Program Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Audits & Renewable Energy Development Grants Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Loans & Grants James C. (Craig) Scroggs Phone: (770) x113 Allen (Al) Burns Phone: (229) x109 Biorefinery Assistance Program Todd Hubbell (Washington DC) (202) Repowering Assistance Program Fred Petok (Washington DC) (202)

10 RHS Housing Programs Rural Development s Single Family Housing Programs provide homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs. The programs also make funding available to individuals to finance vital improvements necessary to make their homes decent, safe, and sanitary. Homeownership Loans Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance. In addition, applicants must have reasonable credit histories. Loans are for 30 years, 33 in some cases. There is no required down payment.

11 RHS There are many positive economic impacts and community benefits of homeownership, such as creating local jobs for workers in a variety of sectors for professional services and trades, and homeowners continue to purchase supplies and services for their homes over many years. The benefits of homeownership also include enhanced property values, increased civic participation and added revenue for local governments. In addition, research shows that families experience greater educational achievement, improved health and reduced crime in areas where homeownership rates are higher.

12 RHS Georgia Single Family Housing Programs Contacts Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan Program Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Applicants contact their local service center to apply: The Service Center directory is posted online at Single Family Housing Guaranteed Home Loan Program Applicants contact an approved lender to apply: The list of nationally approved lenders is posted online at Mutual Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants Single Family Housing Program Division (706) Ed Peace, Single Family Housing Program Director

13 RHS Multi-Family Housing USDA s Multi-Family Housing Programs offer loans to provide affordable rental housing for very-low-, low- and moderate-income residents, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Funds also may be used to buy and improve land and to provide necessary facilities such as water and waste disposal systems. In addition, USDA offers rental assistance to help eligible rural residents with their monthly rental costs.

14 RHS Georgia Multi-Family Housing Programs Contacts Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants Housing Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration Loans and Grants Housing Preservation Grants Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees Applicants contact their Area Multi-Family Housing team member, the list of team members is posted online at Multi-Family Housing Program Division (706) Eric Hixson, Multi-Family Housing Program Director Rental Assistance Applicants contact Multi-Family Housing Complexes offering Rental Assistance to apply. The list of Multi-Family Housing Complexes is on line at:

15 RHS Community Facility Programs This may include funding for hospitals, fire protection, public safety, libraries, schools, day care centers, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education projects, Rural Health IT projects, as well as many other community-based initiatives Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Programs Rural Community Development Initiative Economic Impact Initiative Grants For info or to apply for Community Facility Programs, contact: Community Programs Division (706)

16 USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a $210 Billion portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

17 USDA StrikeForce Initiative, For Rural Growth and Opportunity The purpose for StrikeForce is to leverage USDA and partner s resources to systemically mitigate persistent poverty in StrikeForce areas. Recognizing that 90 percent of all persistent poverty counties are in rural America, USDA, through the StrikeForce Initiative, intends to create selfsustaining, long-term economic development in areas of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress. StrikeForce aims to improve food security by increasing access to safe and nutritious foods. Lastly, by expanding the USDA program knowledge of USDA employees, its partners and the public, StrikeForce will effectively expand economic opportunities in these impoverished regions. StrikeForce Strategic Goals: 1. Support Economic Viability 2. Promote Food Security 3. Expand Program Education for USDA Employees, USDA Partners and Others

18 USDA StrikeForce Initiative efforts focus on breaking the cycle of poverty in 60 Georgia Counties: Georgia Strikeforce Counties Appling Atkinson Baker Baldwin Ben Hill Berrien Bulloch Calhoun Candler Charlton Clay Clinch Coffee Colquitt Cook Crisp Decatur Dodge Dooly Early Emanuel Evans Grady Hancock Irwin Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Laurens Macon Miller Mitchell Montgo mery Peach Pulaski Quitman Randolph Screven Seminole Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas Tift Toombs Treutlen Turner Ware Warren Washington Wayne Webster Wheeler Wilcox Wilkes

19 USDA StrikeForce Initiative Georgia StrikeForce can help us target a variety of projects in StrikeForce Counties. Some priority areas this year for Rural Development are Direct single family housing, renewable energy and bio-refinery projects, local food hubs, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education projects.

20 USDA StrikeForce Georgia Contacts StrikeForce Leader & 2015 Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) Chairman: Quinton N. Robinson, Georgia State Director U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) Office: (706) StrikeForce Georgia Coordinator: Debra Bell-Dison Office: (229) ext USDA StrikeForce website:

21 Community Example West Point, Georgia

22 USDA Rural Development Georgia (706) (800)

23 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at or at any USDA office, or call (866) to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax (202) or at [email protected].