Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs (2024)

Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs (1)

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Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs (2)

Owen Hart

Associate Legislative Director - Agriculture & Rural Affairs

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ACTION NEEDED:

Urge your members of Congress to support U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) programs throughout the FY 2025 appropriations process by meeting or exceeding FY 2024 funding levels. USDA-RD programs empower counties to make critical investments in rural communities.

BACKGROUND:

USDA programs are funded through the annual Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) appropriations bill. USDA-RD operates a broad range of programs vital to rural counties and the communities we serve. These programs include grant funding and loan financing for water/wastewater infrastructure, community facilities, broadband and telecommunications deployment, housing, energy and business development.

In March 2024, Congress passed the FY 2024 spending package that included $22.3 billion in total discretionary funding authority for USDA, $383 million below FY 2023 funding levels. These reduced funding levels include steep cuts to USDA-RD programs vital to county governments and residents.

As Congress continues to work toward passing a federal budget, counties encourage Congress to return funding for USDA-RD programs
to FY 2023 levels as it considers appropriations for FY 2025.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:

Below is a breakdown of FY 2024 funding levels for Rural Development
Programs:

Under the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS):

  • Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Programs: $1.51 billion in funding for the Water and Waste Disposal Program – a $560 million, or 27.1 percent, reduction from FY 2023 levels. This program awards loans and grants to rural communities address the backlog of clean water and waste disposal projects.
  • Rural Broadband: $90 million for the Rural e-Connectivity (ReConnect) Program, $258 million below FY2023 levels. $40 million in funding for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program, $20 million below FY 2023 funding levels. These programs help extend internet access to underserved rural communities. Rural broadband programs received cuts due to the implementation of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access in underserved areas.

Under the USDA Rural Housing Service (RHS):

  • Rural Community Facilities Program: $2.8 billion in direct and guaranteed loans for the Rural Community Facilities Program, equal to FY 2023 funding levels. This program helps fund rural hospitals, schools, and health clinics.
  • Rural Housing Loan and Rental Assistance Programs: $28.1 billion for Rural Housing Rental Assistance Programs, $5.26 billion below FY 2023 funding levels. These programs help provide affordable housing to low-income and elderly households in rural communities.

Under the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS):

  • Rural Business Development Program: $66.62 million for the Rural Business Development Grant Program, $19.9 million below FY 2023 funding levels; and $24.3 million for Rural Cooperative Development Grants. These programs support rural entrepreneurs and help rural communities create and expand new market opportunities through strategic investments.

KEY TALKING POINTS:

  • USDA Rural Development operates a broad range of programs tailored to address the specificneeds of rural counties and communities. These programs provide grant funding and loan financing for water/wastewater infrastructure, community facilities, broadband, and telecommunications, housing, renewable energy and business development.
  • Urge your member of Congress to invest in rural America to return FY 2025 appropriations forU.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) programs to FY 2023 fundinglevels.

    For further information, contact Owen Hart at 202.942.4280 or ohart@naco.org.

Tagged In:

  • Agriculture,
  • Rural Counties

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Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs (2024)

FAQs

How does the USDA get funding? ›

USDA programs are funded through the annual Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) appropriations bill. USDA-RD operates a broad range of programs vital to rural counties and the communities we serve.

Which type of support does the USDA Rural Development Program offer to its target audience of rural residents? ›

Which type of support does the USDA Rural Development Program offer to its target audience of rural residents? It offers direct loans, grants, and loan guarantees for housing and other rural needs, as well as advisor services to agricultural producers.

Are USDA and Rural Development the same? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development mission area, provides financial resources and support for rural communities, residents, and businesses.

What is required for USDA asset documentation? ›

Asset documentation includes recent bank statements, investment accounts, and, if applicable, 401(k) and IRA statements. Gift letters are required if down payment or closing costs are covered by gifts, and large deposits need explanations and sourcing.

What are the two main sources of funding for grants? ›

The two primary sources of grant money are public and private funds. Public funds are obtained from governmental units, such as federal, state, and local agencies.

How do you calculate the USDA funding fee? ›

The total loan amount can include closing costs, property upgrades, property taxes and other necessary furnishings to the home. Let's assume you're purchasing a home with a loan amount of $160,000 and closing costs of $5,000. The USDA funding fee would be calculated based on 1% of $165,000, or $1,650.

What is the main goal of the USDA? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) mission is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

What are the four priorities of the USDA? ›

USDA Priorities

Advancing Racial Justice, Equity, Opportunity and Rural Prosperity.

What is the primary responsibility of the USDA? ›

What We Do. We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

Is USDA public or private? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal agency that plays a major role in rural development, particularly housing. It also oversees and implements programs related to the farming, ranching, and forestry industries and regulates food quality and safety, and nutrition labeling.

Who controls USDA? ›

It is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who has served since February 24, 2021. 1301 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.

Who runs the USDA? ›

Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation's 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

Does USDA look at bank statements? ›

However, for a USDA loan, qualification might require at least two months' worth of statements for every family member above 18 years of age in your household. A bank statement is a window into your financial life and plays a crucial role in the mortgage process.

Does USDA have a maximum loan amount? ›

How Much Can You Really Borrow? Even though the USDA Guaranteed Loan has no limit on the amount you can borrow, it's highly unlikely any borrower could get a USDA Loan for more than $300,000-$400,000. Since the USDA loan is geared towards low-to-moderate income families, they have strict income limits.

How is USDA income calculated? ›

When calculating annual income, every adult earner in the household will be considered. Adjusted Annual Income - is calculated by subtracting qualified deductions from the annual household income. USDA qualifying income is determined by comparing adjusted annual income to the regional median income.

How much money does the USDA spend? ›

Under current law, USDA's total outlays for 2023 are estimated at $209.3 billion. Outlays for mandatory programs are $169.4 billion, 80.9 percent of total outlays. Mandatory programs provide services required by law but are not funded through annual appropriations acts.

Will the USDA be affected by government shutdown? ›

Shutdown Would Be "Incredibly Disruptive" to USDA and its Customers. Remark: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack telling a White House press briefing that a government shutdown would be incredibly disruptive to USDA and its millions of customers and stakeholders.

How does the USDA work? ›

The USDA is responsible for overseeing farming, ranching, and forestry industries, as well as regulating aspects of food quality and safety and nutrition labeling. The USDA is further tasked with administering several social welfare programs including free school lunches and food stamps.

Is USDA a government guaranteed loan? ›

The USDA guaranteed loan is backed by the federal government, but a private lender will fund the loan itself. With the backing of the federal government, lenders can provide a lower interest rate to you as a borrower.

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