Rural Development Resources Available to Flood and Natural Disaster Victims

Posted on | June 24, 2010 | No Comments

Lincoln, NE, June 24, 2010—USDA Rural Development has a long standing history of assisting rural communities in need.  While it has no programs specifically designed for emergencies or natural disasters, USDA Rural Development does provide affordable financing that can assist communities and individuals who suffered damage from the recent floods and other natural disasters that are affecting parts of rural Nebraska. Rural Development’s grants and loans may not be the first source for financial relief for Nebraska’s devastated rural communities, but the agency’s assistance can be a part of a community’s longer term rebuilding process.  Rural Development can pick up where and when other agencies leave off. 
In describing the current situation, Nebraska State Director for USDA Rural Development Maxine Moul, was reminded of the passage, “I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”  Moul emphasized that while “nature” created the current circumstances in the rural towns, perseverance would prevail through the rebuilding process, and Rural Development would assist when and wherever possible. 
Community Needs
Grants and loans are available to help communities repair damage to facilities such as schools, libraries, childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, and public buildings needed to ensure the health and safety of residents.
 
Business
Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) are available to non-profit corporations and governmental bodies and authorities to help small businesses recover from the impact of the tornado.  The funds can be used to assist with clean up, rebuilding and repairing of industrial parks and other commercial areas, including downtown business districts.                                             
Funds are also available to these groups to establish or re-capitalize revolving loan programs that re-lend money to individual businesses at favorable rates.

Housing
Additional assistance is available to homeowners in counties, if FEMA declares them eligible for Individual Assistance, through Rural Development’s single family housing loan and grant programs.  Low cost funds are available for housing purchases and repairs.  Individuals  needing payment assistance on their existing USDA Rural Development single family loans are encouraged to contact the Centralized Servicing Center in St. Louis at (800) 414-1226.       
Assistance is also available for temporary rental housing in counties declared by FEMA as eligible for Individual Assistance.  Priority can be given for rental units at properties already financed by Rural Development to those who have been displaced from their home due to the disaster.           
Rural Development can make loans of up to $20,000 at one percent loan to be repaid over 20 years to eligible home owners with very modest incomes to help them rebuild or repair their homes.  If those homeowners are at least 62 years of age, they may qualify for a grant to pay for repairs. 
Rural Development field offices can help determine what Rural Development resources are available to help.  Inquiries should be directed to the following area offices:
Kearney Office:           4009 6th Avenue, Suite 1  Kearney, NE  68845-2386 
                                     P:(308) 237-3118  F:(308) 236-6290      
Ainsworth Office:        731 E. 4th  Ainsworth, NE  69210 
                                     P:(402) 387-2242   F:(402) 387-0968   
Lincoln Office:            8000 South 15th Street, Suite E  Lincoln, NE  68512-9436 
                                    P:(402) 423-9683  F:(402) 423-7614 
Norfolk Office:           1909 Vicki Lane, Suite 103  Norfolk, NE  68701 
                                    P:(402) 371-5350  F:(402) 371-8930  
Scottsbluff  Office:     818 Ferdinand Plaza, Suite B  Scottsbluff, NE  69361-4401
                                    P:(308) 632-2195  F:(308) 635-2787 
North Platte Office:    1202 S. Cottonwood, Suite 3  North Platte, NE  69101
                                    P:(308) 534-2360  F:(308) 534-8645

 “With so many needs to be met, all at the same time, it is impossible to do everything all at once,” said Moul.  “So when it’s our turn to help provide assistance, USDA Rural Development will offer our support because ‘we are committed to the future of rural communities.’”
Rural Development also provides financing and technical assistance to foster growth in business development, as well as critical community and technology infrastructure.  More information on USDA Rural Development is available on the web at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne.
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Committed to the future of rural communities.

“USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity provider, employer and lender.”
To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C.  20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice),
or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

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