Congressman Gonzalez Announces Available USDA Grants that Support Rural South Texans

WASHINGTON - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for projects under its Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) program. This initiative supports investments in connectivity, training, business development, and infrastructure.

"These programs present an opportunity for South Texas communities to come together and build an even stronger economy," Congressman Gonzalez said. "By encouraging communities to pool their knowledge, resources, and best practices, we can put South Texas on the path of long-term growth, innovation, and collaboration."

Priority points may be awarded for applications to the following programs:

Community Facilities programs: These programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve public services and facilities in rural communities. For more information, click here.

The Rural Business Development Grant Program: This program supports targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in gross revenue. For more information, click here.

The Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program: This program guarantees loans for rural businesses to improve the availability of private credit. For more information, click here.

USDA Water and Environmental programs: These programs aim to support clean, safe drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, storm water drainage to eligible households and businesses in rural areas. For more information, click here.

Preference will be given to projects that focus on strategic economic or community development plans that serve two or more jurisdictions. Consideration for regional development priority will be based on (1) How well the project supports a multi-jurisdictional plan, and (2) How well the plan addresses collaboration and investments from other federal and philanthropic agencies.

Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements of the underlying USDA program.

See page 21762 of the May 10, 2018 Federal Register for additional information.