Jacqueline Ponti-Lazarek (USDA) discusses plans to facilitate rural prosperity and economic development at the NADO-DDAA Washington Conference.

1. Your Partner in Prosperity
Presented by Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk
Chief Innovation Officer

2. USDA Rural Development’s Mission

3. RD’s Mission and Goals are Directly Tied to
the USDA Strategic Goals
• Ensure USDA programs are delivered efficiently, effectively,
and with integrity and a focus on customer service.
• Facilitate rural prosperity and economic development.
RD Key Priorities
• Economic Recovery (COVID-19)
• Equity
• Climate
• Modernization
RD.usda.gov/priority-points

4. USDA Rural Development
Organizational Structure
XOCHITL TORRES-SMALL
Under Secretary
Rural
Development

5. Rural Development Offices
4 Regions
47 State Offices
400 Area Offices
1 National Office in DC

6. Loan and Grant Portfolio

7. Rural Development Investments and Portfolio
• $39 billion in new investments
annually
• 50+ Programs and growing
• Portfolio
• 1.2 million borrowers
• 1.21 million loans
• $233 billion in outstanding
principal
• 37, 778 projects
USDA Rural Development Portfolio
Single Family Housing
Electric (Power & Distribution)
Water and Sewer
Community Facilities
Multi-Family Housing
Business Programs
Telecommunications
Data as of 1/31/22

8. Rural Definition

9. • The Definition of Rural is set in
statute.
• ConAct
• Varies by Program
• Ranges from 10,000 to 50,000
across RD
• Subject to Change
• Farm Bill
• Appropriations
What is Rural?

10. Rural Development’s Programs

11. Business
Community Facilities
Electric
Telecommunications
Water and Waste
Multi-Family Housing
Single Family Housing
Cooperative Services
Energy

12. https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD_ProgramMatrix.pdf
RD Program Matrix

13. New Funding Opportunities: American Rescue Plan
• CF Emergency Health Care Grants
• To help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food
banks and food distribution facilities.
• Open to public bodies, community-based non-profits and federally recognized tribes
• Projects and Facilities must serve rural areas of 20,000 or less
• Track One: Recovery Grants to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency
o $350 million
o First window closed in October: Continuing to accept new applications.
• Track Two: Impact Grants advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support
the long-term sustainability of rural health (CLOSED)
• Single Family Housing Direct
• Additional funds
• Existing SFH Direct Loan Borrowers to refinance loans in an approved COVID-19 moratorium.
• Available through September 30, 2023
• Fact Sheet
• Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance
• $100 million in additional assistance
• Funds fully obligated and will provide rental assistance to 27,000 rural households through September 2022.

14. New Funding Opportunities: American Rescue Plan
Food Supply Chain Guarantee
o 1 billion available till exhausted
o Guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance
food systems projects
o For for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food
supply chain.
o MUST be directly engaged in the middle of the food supply chain,
specifically the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing,
transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food.
 Examples - meat processor or a food hub.
o Tribes and tribal entities can be eligible borrowers.
o Fact Sheet
Meat and Poultry Processors Expansion Grants Program
o $150 million in grants
o Provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity
o Build supply chain resilience; offer competitive options for
producers for processing. (number, types of processing available)
o Applications Due: April 11, 2022 (11:59 EST)
o To Apply: Check the Request for Applications (RFA) at
https://www.grants.gov/More Information
o Fact Sheet

15. New Funding Opportunities: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
• Broadband Funding
• $2 Billion Loan and grant for rural broadband infrastructure
• $1.926 billion loan and grant and for ReConnect
• Includes up to 3% for Technical Assistance with $5 million prioritized for
establishment and growth of broadband cooperatives
• $ 74 million (budget authority) for loans through the RUS Farm Bill Program
• Open to:
• corporations, LLC’s, LLP’s, Cooperatives
• States or local governments, U.S. territories
• Indian Tribes (as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
A
ssistance A
ct (25 U.S.C. §450b)
• Application window not announced – Coming Soon!
• ReConnect Program Home Page
• RUS Rural Broadband Loan Program (Farm Bill)

16. RD Innovation Center
Working together to develop fresh, creative solutions – Innovate!
• Centralization of key Reg Management functions to better support RD programs
• Building and leveraging Strategic Engagement to increase impact
• Using Data Analytics to enhance evidence-based decision making 16
Strategic
Engagement
Division

17. Innovation Matters
• Monthly Digital Publication
• Funding Opportunities
• Publications
• Events and Learning 17
Resources and Guides for RD Customers
https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/publications/resource-guides
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

18. Let’s Connect!
https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD_ProgramMatrix.pdf
www.usda.gov/rdinnovation
RD.Innovation@osec.usda.gov
RD.Innovation.Data@usda.gov
RD.usda.gov/Onerdguarantee