Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Webinar for Lenders and Webinar for Businesses and Producers. Application Deadline: September 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

State infrastructure financing authority Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a new program for low-interest loans to state water infrastructure programs (e.g., the State Revolving Funds) to help finance needed water infrastructure projects in local communities. Letter of Interest Deadline: September 15, 2020

2020 National Fish Passage Program
Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners to restore fish passage and to support the modernization infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges, dam removals and the installation of fishways. Application Deadline: September 30, 2020

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers funding for programs to accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through long-term, low cost, supplemental credit assistance under customized terms to creditworthy water and wastewater projects of national and regional significance. This program prioritizes construction-ready projects in three areas: updating aging infrastructure; reducing exposure to contaminants; and water reuse and recycling. Letter of Interest Deadline: October 15, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

Economic Development

USDA Agricultural Workforce Training Grants Program 
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is making funds available to help create a technology and data-savvy workforce ready for the field and industrial jobs within the food and agricultural sciences. Application Deadline: September 24, 2020

Strengthening Community Colleges
U.S. Department of Labor is making funding available to build capacity in community colleges by collaborating with employers and the public workforce to meet labor market demands by increasing capacity, developing skills and mitigating challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Application Deadline: October 8, 2020

Multipurpose, Cleanup and Assessment Brownfield Grants
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides grants to carry out a wide range of eligible assessment, cleanup, planning and community involvement activities to support community health within an eligible area, such as a neighborhood, town, district or census tract. Application Deadline: October 28, 2020

Capacity Building Program for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is making grants available to assist in maintaining and expanding capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach/extension activities related to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Application Deadline: October 28, 2020

Rural Health Network Development Planning Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making grants available to help plan and develop integrated rural healthcare networks to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential health care services; and strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Application Deadline: November 16, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development: