General Info

The United States Department of Agriculture s Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through its programs, it touches rural America in many ways. The agency s financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities, and electric and telephone service. It promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. It offers technical assistance and information to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services. It also provides technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs. The agency has an $86 billion dollar portfolio of loans and will administer nearly $16 billion in program loans, loan guarantees and grants through its programs. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development maintains an office in Washington, D.C.