USDA Community Facility Loan and Grant Program for Solid Waste Infrastructure
NRRA is excited to introduce NRRA member communities to the Community Facilities Loan and Grant program available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development. This program provides matching grants up to $50,000 to eligible communities based on population and median household income. Grants can be used for a wide variety of essential community needs, including solid waste infrastructure. NRRA staff recently met with Jon-Michael Muise, Area Director of Rural Development at USDA, to learn about this program, and Jon will be a guest speaker at NRRA's January 12, 2022 MOM meeting.
USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through its programs, Rural Development helps rural Americans through three types of programs: (1) guaranteed loan products; (2) direct lending; and (3) grant programs. Rural Development's Community Facility Program serves populations of 20,000 people or less, and eligible applicants can be municipalities or nonprofits that provide essential services.
Although this grant program has been available for years, its ability to support municipal solid waste infrastructure has only recently been highlighted. NRRA is eager to share this information with its members that could benefit from this grant program.
Amount & Eligibility
The Community Facility Grant program provides matching grants up to $50,000 to communities based on population and median household income. Matching amounts vary from 15%, 35%, 55%, and 75%. For a list of eligible communities and the percentage match available, see the "CF Grant Elig." column on this spreadsheet. The USDA also provides a fact sheet with an overview of the program.
Eligible Uses
Loan and grants can be used for a wide variety of essential community needs, including solid waste infrastructure. This could include recycling equipment such as balers, scales, storage containers and glass crushers. It could also include safety equipment, signage, and bathroom facilities at transfer stations. Other possible uses include the purchase of computers and cameras for transfer station use.
Prior Solid Waste Grant Recipients
In recent years, there are five examples of New Hampshire and Vermont communities using a Community Facility Grant for solid waste infrastructure needs.
- Effingham, NH: reconstruction of bridge needed to access transfer station
- Plymouth, NH: glass crusher purchase and storm water work at transfer station
- Northeast Kingdom Waste Management District, VT: purchase of baler for recycling
- Windham Solid Waste District, VT: purchase of front end loader
- Bethel, VT: replacement of scale
How to Apply
Grant requests are accepted year round. The application process is designed to be straightforward and easy for communities. Interested communities in New Hampshire and Vermont should contact:
Jon-Michael Muise
Area Director| Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
Office: 802-689-3026 | Cell: 802-488-0118
28 Vernon Street, Suite 333
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.rd.usda.gov/nh | www.rd.usda.gov/vt
Want to Learn More?
Jon-Michael Muise, USDA Rural Development Area Director, was a guest speaker at NRRA's January 12, 2022 Member Operations Marketing (MOM) meeting.
This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service. Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc., is an equal opportunity provider and employer.