US Department of Agriculture

Rural Business Cooperative Service Business Programs

Promoting a dynamic business environment in rural America is the goal of Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Business Programs (BP). BP works in partnership with the private sector and the community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. BP helps fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs and/or promote a clean rural environment. The financial resources of RBS BP are often leveraged with those of other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in under-served areas. Recipients of these programs may include individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes, and private companies.

The mission of Cooperative Services Program is to promote understanding and use of the cooperative form of business as a viable organizational option for marketing and distributing agricultural products.

We serve cooperative members, directors, management, educational institutions, organizations, rural residents, and all others with an interest in the cooperative form of business.

We strive to assist them to effectively use cooperatives to improve their economic well-being and quality of life.

  • Business and Industry Direct Loans (B & I Direct)
  • Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans (B&I Guar.)
  • Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
  • Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG)
  • Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG)
  • Rural Economic Development Loans (REDL)
  • Rural Economic Development Grants (REDG)

Operating procedures for the above referenced programs are developed and monitored through the issuance of regulations and other administrative guidance to assure applicable laws and policy guidance are being followed.

The delivery of programs is accomplished through three National Office Divisions and a nationwide field staff serving the 50 States, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Western Pacific Territories.

All USDA Rural Development mission area programs, including Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs, are administered by Rural Development field staff.

In Fiscal Year 2000, a total of 721 loans and 473 grants totalling $1,151,923,995 were disbursed. This resulted in 73,375 jobs either being created or saved, and 2,552 businesses assisted in rural America.

FISCAL YEAR 2001 PROGRAM LEVELS

  • Business and Industry Guaranteed - $1.556 billion
  • Business and Industry Guaranteed Disaster/Emergency Assistance - $1.16 billion
  • Business and Industry Direct - $50 million
  • Intermediary Re-lending Program - $38.256 million
  • Rural Business Enterprise Grant - $40.664 million
  • Rural Economic Development Loan - $15 million
  • Rural Economic Development Grant - $3 million
  • Rural Business Opportunity Grant - $8 million