U.S. Government Agencies Active in the FSM

USDA Rural Development

The Mission of USDA’S Rural Development Program is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural residents. Rural Development has a wide variety of programs to assist in the realization of this mission in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Single Family Housing Program

In the Federated States of Micronesia, Rural Development’s most widely utilized programs are its Single Family Housing Programs. Rural Development’s housing programs provide families with financing for new homes and for home repairs. Elderly individuals may receive grant assistance for health and safety repairs to their homes. Housing agencies may apply for funding to administer projects under the Mutual Self Help Housing Program and/or assistance in mortgage funding through the Rural Home Loan Partnership. Public Bodies and nonprofit organizations may also apply for the Housing Preservation Grant to operate a program which finances repair and rehabilitation activities for homes owned or occupied by very-low- and low-income rural families.

Community Programs

Rural Development’s Community Programs provide public entities and non-profit organizations with grants and long term, low interest loans that can be used for the construction of essential public facilities, repairs, and the purchase of equipment for fire and rescue, telecommunications, schools, libraries, hospitals, etc. Special priority is given to projects to improve health care and public safety.

Business Programs

Business Programs work in partnership with the private sector and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. Business Programs help fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs and/or promote a clean rural environment. Rural Development has awarded funds under the Intermediary Relending Program to the Pacific Islands Development Bank, which will re-lend funds to ultimate recipients for business facilities or community development. The Business & Industry Guaranteed loan program is also available.

Business Programs also offer public entities and non-profit organizations the opportunity to seek grant funding for economic planning, technical assistance to businesses, training for entrepreneurs, and cooperative development assistance. Business Programs also offer loan and grant assistance directly to agricultural producers, small businesses, and cooperatives who seek funding for marketing value-added products or who want to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

In addition to these widely used programs, Rural Development has specialized programs to offer assistance with electric services, water and waste disposal services, solid waste management, and telecommunication services.

To find out more about Rural Development’s programs visit their web-site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ or contact your local office.