feather pattern title bar background in rust

US Department of Agriculture Loans (USDA)


This program strengthens the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses. 

Benefits to Borrowers: 

  • Low, competitive interest rates
  • Fixed maturity, no balloon payments
  • Long financing term and amortization
  • Non-profits eligible
  • Start-up businesses eligible

Maximum Loan Amount: $25 Million
Percent of Guarantee: 60% to 80%

Use of Proceeds: 

  • Business conversion, enlargement, repair, modernization or development
  • Purchase and development of land
  • Equipment, leasehold improvements, machinery, or inventory
  • Debt refinancing if it improves cash flow and creates or saves jobs
  • Business and industrial acquisition if the loan will create or save jobs

Maximum Term:

  • 30 years – Real Estate
  • 15 years – machinery and equipment
  • 7 years – working capital

Guarantee Fees: 3% of guaranteed loan amount

Eligibility:  Eligible borrowers are for-profit businesses, non-profit businesses, cooperatives or individuals located in a rural area1 as defined by USDA. The borrower’s headquarters may be based within a larger city as long as the project is located in an eligible rural area. 

1 An eligible rural area for the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee program is defined by the USDA as any area other than a city or town with a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area of that city or town.
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities1 in rural areas.

Benefits to Borrowers: 

  • Low, competitive fixed interest rates
  • Loan proceeds for community development projects in rural communities
  • No prepayment penalties
  • Up to 30-year amortizations
  • Maximum loan amount: $25 Million

Use of Proceeds: 

  • Acquisition or construction of business or business facility
  • Purchase or development of land
  • Equipment, leasehold improvements, machinery, supplies

Maximum Term: 30 years
Origination Fee: 1% of loan amount

Eligibility: Public bodies, community-based non-profit corporations, or Federally-recognized Tribes located in a rural area2 as defined by USDA3

Examples of Essential Community Facilities: 

  • Health care facilities – hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, etc.
  • Public facilities – town halls, courthouses, airport hangars, street improvements
  • Public safety services – fire departments, police stations, prisons, public works vehicles, etc.
  • Educational services – museums, libraries, private schools
  • Utility services – telemedicine, distance-learning equipment
  • Local food systems – community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks

1 An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. 
2 An eligible rural area for the Community Facilities program is defined by the USDA as cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest US Census Data. 
3 Fund availability may be limited per market location.








USDA logo
All loans are subject to credit approval.