The US Department of Agriculture offers many grant and loan programs for rural communities, like those in Seneca County. Listed below are several of those programs: REAP Grants USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants are intended to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy development for rural small for-profit businesses and agricultural producers. The grant will not exceed 25% of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration will be given for requests of less than $20,000. Combined guaranteed loan and grant packages cannot exceed 75% of the total project costs. Applications for 2016 will be considered bi-annually; submissions accepted year-round. REAP Loan Guarantee applications will be received on a continuous cycle basis and funded on the first business day of each month. For more information, contact Christie Hooks at 614-255-2397 or christie.hooks@oh.usda.gov Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Business Development Grants are competitive grants designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. Local governments and nonprofits may apply. Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000. There are a variety of eligible activities: training and technical assistance, acquisition of land, pollution control, capitalization of revolving loan funds, distance adult learning, and other uses. Program activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity grant activities. For more information, contact Cindy Musshel at 614-255-2427 or cindy.musshel@oh.usda.gov Water and Wastewater Disposal Loans and Grants Water and Wastewater Disposal Loans/Grants are direct loans and grants to build or improve essential public use facilities such as water and sewer facilities, storm sewers and solid waste facilities. Loans can be used for construction and non-construction costs including land, equipment, engineer services, legal services, capitalized interest, and initial operating funds. Community Facility Loans and Grants Community Facility (CF) Loans/Grants are administered through a USDA Rural Development program to develop community facilities for public use in rural areas and towns with populations of up to 20,000. Funds may not be used to construct, enlarge or improve facilities which provide essential services to rural residents and for non-construction costs including land, equipment, architectural services, legal services, capitalized interest and initial operating funds. Funds may not be used for commercial enterprises or recreational facilities. For more information, contact Christopher Spellmire at 419-422-0242 or chris.spellmire@oh.usda.gov