Presented by JonMichael Muise Acting State Director Vermont

Presented by Jon-Michael Muise Acting State Director Vermont / New Hampshire USDA Rural Development Economic Development Tools

How We Help • Increasing economic opportunity and improving the quality of life for all rural Americans • $149, 566, 057 invested in Vermont communities in 2016 • 216 communities engaged

40 -Plus Programs Helping Rural Vermont and New Hampshire Housing Community Business

Housing Programs • Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan • Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loans • Single Family Housing Direct Loan • Multi-Family Direct Loan • Farm Labor Housing Direct Loan • Home Repair Direct Loan • Multi-Family Rental Assistance • Housing Preservation Grants • Home Repair Grants Grant

Housing Programs • Jennifer and Anna Florino • A single mother who achieved homeownership through the Single Family Direct Home Loan program. • 61 VT households purchased homes through the direct loan program in FY 16 • 414 VT households purchased homes with the support of a Rural Development guarantee in FY 16.

Community Programs: Essential Facilities • Larger, financially stronger applicants including health and educational institutions • Guarantee up to 90% Guaranteed Loan • Must show ability to repay • Recipients include nonprofits and municipalities. • Projects include safety services, arts organizations and health services • Pays for portion of project, usually 15 -35% • Scoring process for selection Direct Loan Grant

Community Programs: Water and Environmental Programs/Utilities • Guarantees possible, but have not been used in these programs Guaranteed Loan • Funding for water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure • Secured by General Obligation Bonds • Current interest rates 2% 3. 25% • Water and Environmental Program Grants • Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Direct Loan Grant

Community Programs • The Town of Wilmington received over $2 M of Rural Development support to upgrade its water treatment facilities in FY 15. • In FY 2016, Rural Development helped 18 communities improve water services to over 29, 000 Vermonters.

Business and Cooperative Programs • Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program • Intermediary Relending Program • • Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan • Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program • Value Added Producer Grants Rural Business Development Grants • Rural Energy for America Grant Program Guaranteed Loan Direct Loan Grant

Business and Cooperative Programs Kingdom Pellets • $2. 5 million USDA Rural Energy for America loan guarantee with Community National Bank • Feasibility study supported by a Rural Business Development Grant to the Northern Forest Center • USDA Rural Development Business Programs helped to create and preserve over 1000 jobs in Vermont.

Community and Economic Development • Encourages multijurisdictional planning • Set asides for projects supporting the goals of a multi-jurisdictional plan • Additional funding opportunities for Vermont • Community led planning process • Strategic reorganization in FY 16 -17 • Supports REAP Zone designation • Leveraged funding • MOU to support VCRD Community Visit Process • Supported 5 VCRD Community Visits FY 16 • Directed resources to participating communities • Supporting Climate Change Economy Project Farm Bill Section 6025 NEK Collaborative Vermont Council on Rural Development

www. rd. usda. gov/vt VT/ NH State Office: 802. 828. 6080 87 State Street, Suite 324 P. O. Box 249 Montpelier, VT Brattleboro Office: St. Johnsbury Office: 802. 689. 3034 802. 748. 8746 X 125 28 Vernon Street, Suite 333 481 Summer Street, Suite 203 Brattleboro, VT St. Johnsbury, VT Jon-Michael Muise Acting State Director VT/NH 802. 689. 3026 jon. muise@vt. usda. gov