[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 121 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30264-30268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14953]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 121 / Thursday, June 25, 2009 /
Notices
[[Page 30264]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Utilities Service
Notice of Funds Availability Under the Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009
AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
and Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are administered
through USDA Rural Development (RD). This Notice announces the
availability of disaster assistance pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title I of
Division B of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and
Continuing Appropriations Act 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329) (September 30,
2008).
DATES: Unless otherwise specified in this Notice, applications will be
accepted on a rolling basis.
ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance, or that are in
need of further information, should contact the USDA Rural Development
State Office in the state where the project is located. A list of the
USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses and telephone numbers
are as follows:
Note: Telephone numbers are not toll-free.
Alabama
Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-
3683, (334) 279-3400/TDD (334) 279-3495.
Alaska
USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201,
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7705/TDD (907) 761-8905.
Arizona
USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st Ave., Suite 206,
Phoenix, AZ 85003, (602) 280-8701/TDD (602) 280-8705.
Arkansas
USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3200/TDD (501) 301-3279.
California
USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, 4169,
Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800/TDD (530) 792-5848.
Colorado
USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100,
Lakewood, CO 80215, (720) 544-2903/TDD (720) 544-2976.
Connecticut
USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst,
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.
Delaware-Maryland
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3580/TDD (302) 857-3585.
Florida
USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-3499.
Georgia
USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E.
Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162/TDD (706) 546-
2034.
Hawaii
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8380/TDD (808) 933-8321.
Idaho
USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1,
Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5600/TDD (208) 378-5644.
Illinois
USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A,
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6240.
Indiana
USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290-3100/TDD (317) 290-3343.
Iowa
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4663/TDD (515) 284-4858.
Kansas
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 S.W. First American Place,
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2700/TDD (785) 271-2767.
Kentucky
USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200,
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7422.
Louisiana
USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street,
Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7921/TDD (318) 473-7655.
Maine
USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O.
Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9160/TDD (207) 942-7331.
Massachusetts
USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst,
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.
Michigan
USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200,
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5190/TDD (517) 324-5169.
Minnesota
USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St.
Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800/TDD (651) 602-3799.
[[Page 30265]]
Mississippi
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100
W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316/TDD (601) 965-
5850.
Missouri
USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade
Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0976/TDD (573) 876-
9480.
Montana
USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Boulevard, Suite B,
P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-2580/TDD (406) 585-2562.
Nebraska
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5551/TDD (402) 437-
5093.
Nevada
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson
City, NV 89703-5146, (775) 887-1222/TDD (775) 885-0633.
New Hampshire
USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000/TDD (802) 223-6365.
New Jersey
USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor
North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7700/TDD (856) 787-
7784.
New Mexico
USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE, Room
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4938.
New York
USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441
South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-
6400/TDD (315) 477-6447.
North Carolina
USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260,
Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000/TDD (919) 873-2003.
North Dakota
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220
East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037/TDD
(701) 530-2113.
Ohio
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200
North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400/TDD (614)
255-2554.
Oklahoma
USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater,
OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000/TDD (405) 742-1007.
Oregon
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801,
Portland, OR 97232, (503) 414-3300/TDD (503) 414-3387.
Pennsylvania
USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299/TDD (717) 237-2261.
Puerto Rico
USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos
Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095/TDD (787) 766-
5332.
Rhode Island
USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst,
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590.
South Carolina
USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building,
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 765-5163/TDD
(803) 765-5697.
South Dakota
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200
Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 352-1147.
Tennessee
USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300,
Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300.
Texas
USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101
South Main, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9712.
Utah
USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138,
(801) 524-4320/TDD (801) 524-3309.
Vermont
USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000/TDD (802) 223-6365.
Virginia
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238,
Richmond, VA 23229-5014, (804) 287-1550/TDD (804) 287-1753.
Washington
USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW.,
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7740/TDD (360) 704-7760.
Virgin Islands
USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-3499.
West Virginia
USDA Rural Development State Office, 75 High Street, Room 320,
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860/TDD (304) 284-4836.
Wisconsin
USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens
Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7614.
Wyoming
USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room
1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 233-6700/TDD (307)
233-6733.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information and application
assistance contact the appropriate Rural Development State Office
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
For information regarding Housing and Community Facilities
Programs, contact: Community Facilities, Anita Outen, Loan Specialist,
at 202-720-1497, or Susan Woolard, Loan Specialist, at 202-720-1506;
Multi-Family Housing Programs, Henry Searcy, Financial and Loan
Specialist, at 202-720-1753; Single Family program, Myron Wooden, Loan
Specialist, at 202-720-4780.
For further information regarding Business Programs, contact: Fred
Kieferle, Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program, at 202-
720-7818, e-mail: [email protected], Cindy Mason, Rural
Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG), at 202-690-1433, e-mail:
[email protected].
For information regarding Water and Environmental Programs' Direct
Loan,
[[Page 30266]]
Guaranteed Loan, and Grant programs, contact: Gayle Auman, Loan
Specialist, at 334-279-3620, e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The Rural Development Mission Area agencies (RHS, RUS,
and RBS of the United States Department of Agriculture) provide a wide
variety of grant, loan, and loan guarantee assistance to rural
residents, rural communities, and rural utility systems. The
eligibility criteria for each of the programs differ widely.
Paperwork Reduction Act: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, the information collection requirements contained in this
Notice are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
OMB Control Numbers 0575-0172, 0575-0173, 0570-0174, 0575-0189, 0570-
0017, 0570-0022, and 0570-0121.
Application Procedure: Unless otherwise specified in this Notice,
the application procedure for assistance under this Notice is the same
as the regular application procedure for the particular program for
which financial assistance is requested.
I. Disaster Assistance Funds
A. Affected Programs
The following programs are subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation with State
and local officials, pursuant to 7 CFR 3015.302, as a covered program.
These programs or activities are listed in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) under Numbers:
10.438 Section 538 Guaranteed Multi-family Housing Loans
10.447 Multi-family Revitalization
10.448 Rural Housing Voucher Program
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants
10.410 Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
10.768 Business and Industry
10.769 Rural Business Enterprise Grants
10.760 Water and Waste Direct Loans
B. Description of Assistance
Chapter 1 of Title I of Division B of the Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, (the
``Act'') Public Law 110-329 enables USDA Rural Development to provide:
(1) $150 million for the cost of assistance to areas affected by
hurricanes, floods, and natural disasters occurring in calendar year
2008 that have been declared a major disaster by the President under
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq., and (2) $38 million
for single and multi-family housing assistance to areas affected by
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Pursuant to section 10101(c) of the Act,
the Secretary of Agriculture may waive any limits on population,
income, or cost-sharing otherwise applicable to a project or activity.
To the extent the Secretary has authorized such waiver(s) with respect
to funds for a program covered by this NOFA, such waiver is indicated
in connection with each program area of this NOFA.
C. Designated Disaster Area
For the purposes of this Notice, the designated disaster area shall
be those areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural
disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 for which a disaster was
declared by the President under Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5121,
et seq. (Stafford Act) and areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
Projects located in the identified counties on the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map for these disasters will be
eligible for funding. The FEMA Web site, http://www.fema.gov, lists
Major and Emergency Disaster Declarations by year and by State. All of
these disaster areas were declared by the President or the Secretary of
Agriculture, but only Major Disaster Declarations (i.e., those declared
by the President) are eligible for the funds covered by this NOFA.
Individual and public assistance may be provided in eligible areas.
1. Community Facilities (CF) Programs
USDA Rural Development will provide CF Direct Loan funds, CF
Guaranteed Loan funds and CF Grant funds for essential community
facilities in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other
natural disasters which occurred during calendar year 2008 as follows:
CF Direct Loan Funds: $169,580,420
CF Guaranteed Loan Funds: $157,467,532
CF Grant Funds: $24,250,000
The CF Guaranteed and Direct Loan and Grant Programs are designed to
finance and facilitate the development of essential community
facilities serving rural areas. These facilities include, but are not
limited to, hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care facilities, police
stations and vehicles, fire and rescue stations and vehicles,
vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational
facilities. Funds under this Notice can be used to construct, enlarge,
or improve community facilities for health, public safety, and
education. This may include the purchase of equipment or furnishings
required for a facility's operation.
Waiver. CF Grants can be made without regard to graduated funding
or matching funds requirements. CF Grant funds can be used for up to 75
percent of the cost to develop the facility.
General Provisions. The Act enables the Secretary of Agriculture to
make grants to recipients that may have challenges in making loan
payments. Rural Development has determined that it will review and make
awards under this NOFA as applications are received. Applications will
be reviewed, approved, and obligated in the State Rural Development
Office.
Eligibility Requirements. Public entities such as municipalities,
counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as nonprofit
corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and
federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas
with a population of 20,000 or less are eligible to apply.
Priority. Priority will be provided in accordance with established
program priorities and performance measures. The applicant's financial
statements will be analyzed by Rural Development staff to determine the
percentage of guaranteed loan funds, direct loans, and grant funds
required for project feasibility.
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority. Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act, Section 306 (7 U.S.C. 1926(a) (1) and (19));
and, to the extent not waived by this Notice, 7 CFR Part 3570, Subpart
B, Community Facilities Grant Program, 7 CFR Part 3575, Subpart A,
Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program; 7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart
A, Community Facilities Direct Loan Program; and 7 CFR Part 1942,
Subpart C, Fire and Rescue Loans.
2. Single Family Housing Programs
General. USDA Rural Development will provide SFH program funds in
rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters
occurring during calendar years 2008 and areas affected by hurricanes
Katrina and Rita.
This Notice provides SFH disaster allocations for FY 2009.
Allocation computations have been made in accordance with 7 CFR
1940.563 through 1940.568.
Disaster Act Authorization. The Disaster Act authorizes SFH to
provide
[[Page 30267]]
grants, loans and loan guarantees to eligible applicants in rural areas
affected by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring
during 2008 for which the President has declared a major disaster under
title IV of the Robert. T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act of 1974 and areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
Funding is available as follows:
Disaster Funds
(1) Section 502 SFH Direct Loans
Hurricanes Supplemental (Katrina/Rita): $116,025,531
2008 Disaster Emergency Supplemental: $433,035,714
(2) Section 504 Direct Housing Repair Loans
Section 504 Housing Repair Loans 2005 Hurricanes: $504,329
(3) Section 504 Grants
Section 504 Housing Repair Grants 2005 Hurricanes: $15,152,777
Section 504 Housing Repair Grants 2008 Disaster: $4,850,000
(4) Section 502 Guaranteed Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Section 502 Guaranteed Purchase 2005 Disaster Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Purchase--Amount Available for 2005 Disaster Allocation
Total Available--Purchase: $1,278,411,582
Less National Office General Reserve: $240,179,009
Allocation to the States: $1,038,232,573
General Reserve. The National Office will maintain a general
reserve. These funds will be available to states that exhaust their
allocations.
Section 502 Guaranteed Purchase 2008 Disaster Loans (Nonsubsidized)
Purchase--Amount Available for 2008 Disaster Allocation
Total Available--Purchase: $1,069,291,339
Less National Office General Reserve: $534,646,340
Allocation to the States: $534,644,999
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority
The Housing Act of 1949 as amended.
RD Instruction 1980-D (Guaranteed).
7 CFR Part 3550 (Direct).
7 CFR 1940.563 through 1940.568
Further Information. All SFH programs are administered through
field offices. For more information or to make application, please
contact the Rural Development office servicing your area as listed in
the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
3. Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Program
MFH Program funding will be available to build or repair projects
located in designated disaster areas or protect tenants in projects in
designated disaster areas that leave the Section 515 program through
prepayment or foreclosure. Initial MFH loan and grant disaster funding
levels for FY 2009 expressed as budget authority are as follows:
Section 515 Direct Loans: $747,911
MFH Revitalization (MPR)--Budget Authority: $5,820,000
Section 538 Guaranteed MFH: $12,372,449
Rural Housing Vouchers: $1,940,000
Budget authority funding levels may be adjusted depending on demand
for funding in each of the MFH program areas. All funds will be held in
the National Office and will be distributed either using the
application selection processes under applicable FY 2009 funding
notices, or through the Administrator's direction. The applicable
notices include the Notice of Funding Availability for the Section 515
Rural Rental Housing Program for New Construction in Fiscal Year 2009,
published on April 29, 2009, the Notice of Solicitation of
Applications: Section 514, 515 and 516 Multi-Family Housing
Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) for Fiscal Year 2009 [74 FR
19505], published on April 29, 2009 [74 FR 19513]; the Notice of
Funding Availability: Rural Development Voucher Program, published on
April 29, 2009 [74 FR 19510] and the Notice for the Request for
Proposals for Loan Guarantees under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural
Rental Housing Program (GRHHP) for Fiscal Year 2009, published on
January 21, 2009 [74 FR 3551].
A complete description of each of the Multi-Family Housing
Programs, which includes general provisions, assistance available,
eligibility requirements, and selection criteria is available in the FY
2009 funding notices identified above.
Dates. Applications for MPR and Section 515 new construction are
due by June 29, 2009.
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority. Sections 514, 515,
516, and 538 multi-family housing programs are authorized by the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec.1484, 1485, 1486, 1490p-
2) and provide Rural Development with the authority to make loans for
low-income multi-family housing and farm labor housing and related
facilities. The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L.
110-161), December 26, 2007, the Consolidated Security Disaster
Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329)
(September 30, 2008). The Rural Development Voucher Program is
authorized under Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended
(without regard to Section 542 (b)).
4. Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program
USDA Rural Development will provide B&I Guaranteed Loan funds to
assist businesses in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and
other natural disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 as follows:
B&I Guaranteed Loan Funds 2008 Disasters: $445,977,011
B&I Guaranteed Loan Program is to improve, develop, or finance
business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and
environmental climate in rural communities. This purpose is achieved by
bolstering the existing private credit structure through the guarantee
of quality loans which will provide lasting community benefits.
Eligibility Requirements. A borrower may be a cooperative
organization, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity organized
and operated on a profit or nonprofit basis; an Indian tribe on a
Federal or State reservation or other federally recognized tribal
group; a public body; or an individual. B&I loans are normally
available in rural areas, which include all areas other than cities or
towns of more than 50,000 people and the contiguous and adjacent
urbanized area of such cities or towns.
Loan purposes must be consistent with the general purpose contained
in the regulation, and include business acquisition; the purchase and/
or development of land, buildings, leasehold improvements; purchase of
machinery, equipment; supplies, and inventory; and debt refinancing.
The total amount of Agency loans to one borrower generally must not
exceed $25 million. Loans up to $40 million may be authorized for rural
cooperative organizations that process value-added agricultural
commodities. The interest rate for the guaranteed loan will be
negotiated between the lender and the applicant. Collateral must have
documented value sufficient to protect the interest of the lender and
the Agency.
Priority. Funds are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.
[[Page 30268]]
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B (7
U.S.C. 1932)
7 CFR Part 4279, Subparts A and B
Part 4287, Subpart B. Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
Program.
5. Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Program
USDA Rural Development will provide disaster designated RBEG grant
funds for rural disaster recovery projects that finance and facilitate
development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance
learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education
programs in rural areas affected by hurricanes, floods, and other
natural disasters occurring during calendar year 2008 as follow:
RBEG 2008 disaster funds: $4,850,000
To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array
of activities, and may include acquisition, development, and/or
renovation of real estate; purchase of machinery and equipment;
capitalization of revolving loan funds; training; and technical
assistance. Eligible activities are delineated in 7 CFR 1942-G.
Eligibility Requirements. Applicants eligible for RBEG funds are
public bodies and private non-profit corporations serving rural areas.
States, counties, cities, townships, and incorporated towns and
villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, including Faith-based and
neighborhood organizations and private non-profit corporations, and
Indian tribes on Federal and state reservations which will serve rural
areas. ``Rural area'' for this program is defined as all areas other
than cities or towns of more than 50,000 people and the contiguous and
adjacent urbanized area of such cities or towns. Applications will not
be considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information
to determine eligibility or are missing required elements.
Priority. There is no maximum level of grant funding, but smaller
projects are given higher priority.
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Sec. 310B(c) (7
U.S.C. 1932(c)(2))
7 CFR Part 1942, Subpart G, Rural Business Enterprise Grant
Program
6. Water and Waste Loans and Grants
General. USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Programs
(WEP) provide a wide variety of grant, loan and loan guarantee
assistance to rural residents, communities and utility systems. Details
on eligible applicants and projects may be found in the relevant
regulations listed in the ``Applicable Statutory and Regulatory
Authority'' section below.
Disaster Act Authorization. The Disaster Act authorizes WEP to
provide grants and loans to eligible applicants in rural areas affected
by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring during 2008
for which the President has declared a major disaster under Title IV of
the Robert. T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of
1974. Funding is available as follows:
Water and Waste Funds
2008 Disasters loan funds: $49,589,603
2008 Disasters grant funds: $15,000,000
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants: $2,000,000
Waiver(s) Pursuant to Section 10101(c) of the Disaster Act. None.
Applicable Statutory or Regulatory Authority.
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 306
(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1), (2), and (24)) and Section 306A (7 U.S.C. 1926a).
7 CFR Part 1778, Emergency and Imminent Community Water
Assistance Grants.
7 CFR 1779, Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed
Loans. (An Interim Rule, 7 CFR 5001, has been published in the Federal
Register, but is not effective as of the date of this Notice).
7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Loans and Grants.
Further Information. Information for the Water and Environmental
Programs' Direct Loan and Grant programs may be obtained by contacting
your USDA Rural Development State Office as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this Notice.
Civil Rights
Programs referenced in this Notice are subject to applicable Civil
Rights Laws. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation,
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). ``USDA is an
equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.''
Dated: May 29, 2009.
Dallas Tonsager,
Under Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-14953 Filed 6-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P