WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2021 – USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today
announced the Department is expanding access to four loan guarantee programs that provide funding to help
rural communities create jobs and improve local infrastructure.

This expansion continues the Department’s regulatory reforms to make it easier for communities and lenders to
access USDA funding. The OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative reduced paperwork and adopted a common loan
note guarantee application for the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantee Program; the Community
Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program; the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program; and the Rural
Energy for America Guaranteed Loan Program.

Today’s improvements include allowing eligible entities to use the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
program to finance rural broadband and telecommunications projects that are not eligible for funding under
USDA Rural Utilities Service programs. Also, the Department has clarified when utility projects that serve rural
and non-rural areas are eligible for a USDA loan guarantee.

The Department is no longer requiring lenders to maintain a minimum 50 basis points servicing fee from
holders or other participants in the guarantee. Additionally, USDA now says it will consider loan guarantees for
infrastructure and business projects in addition to those listed in the initial October 2020 regulation.
For more information on the regulatory changes and how to apply to the programs under this initiative, visit
www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their USDA Rural
Development state office and see page 70349 of the Dec. 10, 2021, Federal Register.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in
rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community
facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more
information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.