Committed to the Future of Rural Communities

1. Committed to the Future of Rural Communities USDA Rural Development’s Financial & Technical Assistance Programs are designed to offer Rural America: •Affordable homeownership and repair opportunities •Safe and modern rental housing facilities •Essential public facilities and services including: water & sewer systems, community facilities and telecommunications equipment and facilities •Business opportunities to build and sustain healthy economies •Financial and technical assistance to cooperative and value-added efforts across Nebraska. More than $108 million in loans, loan guarantees, and grants were invested in rural development projects in Nebraska in FY2007.

2. Financial and technical assistance to cooperative and value-added efforts across Nebraska. • Value Added Producer Grant Program • Program designed to assist agricultural producers with adding value to their agricultural commodities. • -This program provides grants for planning or working capital activities. • -Funds authorized and thus contingent upon farm bill funding. • Renewable Energy Systems/Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (9006) • -Program designed to assist farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses with energy projects. • -This program provides grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects. • - Funds authorized and thus contingent upon farm bill funding.

3. Financial and technical assistance to cooperative and value-added efforts across Nebraska. Technical Assistance -Determine the initial feasibility of the proposed venture -Organize the potential members into a functioning and committed group which will organize the entity -Develop and implement the business plan -Assist groups in the development and analysis of producer and marketing surveys -Conduct research and transmit findings on problems and issues facing a developing entity -Assist groups in evaluating and determining the type of business structure that best fits their needs -Assist groups in the development of legal documents

4. Business opportunities to build and sustain healthy economies. Business & Industry Loan Guarantee -Real estate, equipment and working capital loan guarantees made to lenders for business and industrial development. -Maximum guarantee of 80%. 2% Guarantee fee, ¼% annual renewal fee. Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants -Loans and Grants made to Rural Electric and Telephone Companies for a wide range rural economic projects. -Projects must be located in rural areas.

5. Business opportunities to build and sustain healthy economies. Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) -Grants made to public bodies, non-profits or Indian tribes to facilitate and finance developing small and emerging rural private business enterprises. -RBEG’s can be used for Revolving Loan Funds, Technical Assistance, or Acquisition of assets -RBOG’s are for technical assistance projects only. Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) -Intermediary loans made to public bodies, nonprofits, Indian Tribes and Cooperatives to loan to ultimate recipients -Purposes include community development projects, establishment & expansion of businesses & creating &/or saving jobs.

6. “Committed to the Future of Rural Communities” For More Information Contact NEVAP Members: Deb Yocum Cooperative Development Specialist Rm. 152 Federal Building 100 Centennial Mall North Lincoln , NE  68508 402-437-5554 debra.yocum@ne.usda.gov Visit our Website at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/