Farm Compliance

"Investing in local businesses is one of the most effective ways to ensure that rural communities continue to be economically viable and attractive places to live and work," Vilsack said. "The funding announced today reflects President Obama's commitment to stimulate rural economies."

The loans are being made through USDA Rural Development's Intermediary Relending Program. The funds are provided to community development or regional planning groups who then re-lend them to local businesses. Loans must be used to start new businesses, expand existing ones, or create or retain jobs.

For example, Maryland Capital Enterprises, Salisbury, Md., has been selected to receive $750,000 to provide loans to more than 20 businesses that are in various stages of counseling, mentoring and business plan development. Maryland Capital trains business owners on how to create budgets, become more cost effective and develop successful business plans. After the businesses complete this training, they will be able to qualify for startup or expansion loans from Maryland Capital. Local economic development officials estimate that each new job created as a result of the technical assistance and loan funding will affect five additional businesses and expand the local tax base.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, Bismarck, N.D., has been selected to receive a $600,000 loan to help finance housing development projects in a nine-county area. These loans will help provide gap financing to developers building homes in rural North Dakota. Such financing is critical – and often unavailable – in many rural areas where construction costs exceed the value of the home.

The Midwest Assistance Program Inc., Columbia, Mo., has been selected to receive $500,000 to form a revolving loan fund to provide financial assistance for clean drinking water, wastewater and similar public infrastructure projects in economically disadvantaged communities in 14 northern Missouri counties. Many area residents do not have clean water or working wastewater systems and live in communities that cannot afford to build systems or repair existing ones without the Rural Development assistance.

The following is a complete list of groups selected to receive Intermediary Relending Program awards.

Intermediary Relending Program

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan agreement.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure.