ABOUT THE B&I PROGRAM

This program offers loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses.

Eligible Uses of OneRD Funding

  • Business conversion, enlargement, repair, modernization, or development.
  • The purchase and development of land, buildings, and associated infrastructure for commercial or industrial properties.
  • The purchase and installation of machinery and equipment,  supplies or inventory.
  • Debt refinancing when such refinancing improves cash flow and creates jobs.
  • Business and industrial acquisitions when the loan will maintain business operations and create or save jobs.

Who Can Apply?

  • For-profit or non-profit businesses.
  • Cooperatives.
  • Federally-recognized Tribes.
  • Public bodies.
  • Individuals engaged or proposing to engage in a business.

Application Resources: Tools for a Successful Submission

USDA B&I Loan Guarantee Webpage

Fact Sheet

Contact Your State Office

Need Video

The RBDG program is tailored to help you capitalize, or re-capitalize, a loan fund to support small and emerging rural businesses throughout your service area, and there are additional project types that promote economic development and job creation projects that are also eligible under the RBDG program. During this NCN Live webinar, USDA shared program basics, new changes for FY 24, funds that are set-aside for Tribal projects, and who to follow-up with in your RD State Office if you’re interested in submitting an application.

Interviews

In this section, we feature candid conversations between a Native CDFI leader and a USDA State Director, offering real-world perspectives on specific USDA programs impacting Native communities. Each interview highlights success stories, lessons learned, and personal insights—covering how they got started, the challenges they faced, and what made their collaboration effective. These stories provide valuable guidance and inspiration for others looking to implement similar efforts.

Native CDFI Leader/Lender

The purpose of [the RBDG program] is to reach the access to capital and support for entrepreneurs in rural areas or the areas that were less served. Being focused in on the Native Communities it was a perfect fit for our organization.

Nancy Jordan / Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending

USDA State Director

This is a FANTASTIC Theme. Do you think that in the next version you could try and have it Multilanguage. Because I have nothing bad to say about this theme. Thank a million!

Mark Jance / Facebook