USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program

The USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program provides direct loans and/or grants for essential community facilities in rural areas. Priority is given to healthcare and public safety projects. Funds may be used to purchase, construct, enlarge, or improve facilities.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Healthcare facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities

• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars, and street improvements

• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds, and transitional housing

• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles, and equipment

• Educational services such as museums, libraries, and private schools

• Utility services such as telemedicine and distance learning equipment

• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs, and greenhouses

Applicants may apply for one of three options: the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, the Community Facilities Grant Program, or a combination of the two.

USDA provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns with populations up to 20,000. Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as nonprofit corporations and tribal governments.

Loans are also available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as to nonprofit corporations and tribal governments.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.