Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (10.854)
Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (Assistance Listing 10.854) is run by the Rural Business Cooperative Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $43.1 million in 155 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $277,780 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $300,000. Half of the 155 awards fell between $300,000 and $300,000, and they ranged from $36,986 to $300,000.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$43.1 million
- Grant awards155
- Typical award$300,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$9.0 million
- Size rank1,082 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants, direct loans
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $6.7 million in fiscal 2021 to $9.0 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1082nd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 52% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 16 states and territories.
What the program funds
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs provide funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA. USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan funds to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
To receive funding (which will be forwarded to selected eligible projects), an entity must be: A former Rural Utilities Service borrower who borrowed, repaid or pre-paid an insured, direct or guaranteed loan. Nonprofit utilities that are eligible to receive assistance from the Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Programs. Current Rural Development Electric or Telecommunication Programs borrowers. Electric and telephone utilities that have current loans with the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Rural Telephone Bank loans, or guarantees outstanding and are not delinquent on any Federal debt or in bankruptcy proceedings.
What the money can and cannot pay for
This program is for projects which promote rural economic development and job creation.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. This program requires the grantee to provide supplemental funds in the amount of 20 percent of the RBS application amounts.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Deadlines do not apply
Award range and average, in the agency's words
While there is no minimum amount, the grants range from $25,000 up to $99,999. The max allowed is $100,000.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: This Rural Development assistance will be used to provide financing for the construction of a 12,600 sq. ft. Fire/EMS substation in the small, unincorporated community of By. This project will expand and improve emergency medical and safety services and decrease response times by providing a permanent space dedicated to providing critical emergency services in this historically underserved population in a medically underserved rural tribal area. This Rural Development investment will fund a pass-through loan for a project will assist in financing the purchase of equipment to increase production capacity at their soybean processing facility. This project will create 1 new job. the purpose of this funding program is to provide rural economic development.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (10.854) awarded $43.1 million across 155 grant awards, an average of $277,780 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four County Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | 11 | $3.3 million |
| Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | 12 | $3.1 million |
| Pee Dee Electric Membership Corp | North Carolina | 7 | $1.6 million |
| Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative | Missouri | 5 | $1.5 million |
| Tri-County Electric Membership Corp | North Carolina | 5 | $1.5 million |
| Heartland Consumers Power District | South Dakota | 4 | $1.2 million |
| Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative | Iowa | 4 | $1.2 million |
| North West Rural Electric Cooperative | Iowa | 4 | $1.1 million |
| Randolph Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | 4 | $1.1 million |
| Macon Electric Cooperative | Missouri | 4 | $748,000 |
| Midwest Electric, Inc. | Ohio | 2 | $600,000 |
| Edgecombe - Martin County Electric Membership Corporation | North Carolina | 2 | $600,000 |
| Spencer Municipal Utilities | Iowa | 2 | $600,000 |
| Cozad, City of | Nebraska | 2 | $600,000 |
| Central Electric Cooperative Inc | South Dakota | 2 | $600,000 |
| Woodbury County Rural Electric Cooperative Association | Iowa | 2 | $600,000 |
| Corn Belt Power Cooperative | Iowa | 2 | $600,000 |
| San Carlos Apache Telecommunications Utility, Inc. | Arizona | 2 | $600,000 |
| Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corp | North Carolina | 2 | $580,000 |
| Umatilla Electric Cooperative | Oregon | 2 | $550,000 |
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 7.4% of the money.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 144 | $39.9 million | 93% |
| State and local governments | 11 | $3.2 million | 7.4% |
By state
7 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 54 | $14.9 million |
| Iowa | 35 | $9.8 million |
| Missouri | 15 | $4.0 million |
| Nebraska | 10 | $3.0 million |
| Minnesota | 11 | $2.9 million |
| South Dakota | 9 | $2.5 million |
| Ohio | 6 | $1.8 million |
| Oregon | 3 | $850,000 |
| Arizona | 2 | $600,000 |
| Michigan | 2 | $600,000 |
| Colorado | 2 | $599,935 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $546,500 |
| Alabama | 1 | $300,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $300,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $191,052 |
| Indiana | 1 | $190,000 |