Notice2026-01934
Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and Community Development Program for FY 2026
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Published
February 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative ServiceRural Housing ServiceRural Utilities Service
Abstract
The Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD or Agency) is seeking applications for the Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) priority, as reauthorized by Section 6401 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) for projects that support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plans. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the covered RD programs will implement SECD by reserving loan and grant funds from the appropriations of the programs covered by this funding priority. This notice describes the requirements by which RD will consider projects eligible for covered programs' reserved funds and information needed to submit an application. Information on FY 2026 funding amounts can be found under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, section B. Federal Award Information of this notice.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4494-4497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01934]
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Notices
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 21 / Monday, February 2, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 4494]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Housing Service
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket No. RBS-26-BUSINESS-0034]
Notice of Funding Opportunities for the Strategic Economic and
Community Development Program for FY 2026
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD or Agency) is
seeking applications for the Strategic Economic and Community
Development (SECD) priority, as reauthorized by Section 6401 of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) for projects that
support multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community
investment plans. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the covered RD programs
will implement SECD by reserving loan and grant funds from the
appropriations of the programs covered by this funding priority. This
notice describes the requirements by which RD will consider projects
eligible for covered programs' reserved funds and information needed to
submit an application. Information on FY 2026 funding amounts can be
found under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, section B. Federal Award
Information of this notice.
DATES: Each of the participating covered programs has a different
established deadline for receipt of applications. Please refer to the
RD website or the appropriate covered program's Federal Register Notice
for application deadline information.
ADDRESSES: SECD applications, except for the covered Community Connect
Grant Program and Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Programs,
must be submitted electronically to the USDA RD Office servicing the
area where the project is located. Community Connect Grant Program
applicants must submit SECD applications electronically at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect">https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect</a>. Applications for Water and Waste
Disposal Loans and Grants Programs must be submitted electronically at
<a href="https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov/">https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov/</a>. For lenders assigned an OneRD Loan
Guarantee Initiative Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), SECD
applications must be submitted to their assigned CRM.
All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in
preparing and submitting applications.
To apply for SECD funding in FY 2026, applicants must follow the
instructions as published in this notice:
<bullet> All applicants must submit the Form RD 1980-88,
``Strategic Economic and Community Development (Section 6401)'' located
at <a href="https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/">https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/</a>, with their program
application to the appropriate covered program.
<bullet> SECD applications, except for the Community Connect Grant
Program and Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant Program SECD
applications, must be submitted to the USDA RD Office servicing the
area where the project is located. Each SECD application must be
accompanied by a covered program application. USDA RD State Offices
will assist with covered program and SECD applications. A list of the
USDA RD State Offices can be found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state">https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state</a>. Business Programs, Community Programs and Water and Waste
Disposal Programs staff can be located and contacted in USDA RD State
Offices found at the link provided.
<bullet> Community Connect Grant Program applicants must submit
SECD applications electronically at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect">https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect</a>.
<bullet> Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant Program
applicants must submit SECD applications electronically at <a href="https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov/">https://rdapply.sc.egov.usda.gov/</a>.
<bullet> For lenders assigned a OneRD Loan Guarantee Initiative
Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), SECD applications must be
submitted to their assigned CRM.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information, please contact
your respective RD State Office listed here: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state">https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state</a>.
All other inquiries may be submitted to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e3849186848c919acd87828f86a396908782cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8deaffe8eae2fff4a3e9ece1e8cdf8fee9eca3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a>.
A checklist of all required application information for regional
planning priority can be found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/strategic-economic-and-community-development">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/strategic-economic-and-community-development</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Strategic Economic and Community
Development.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
The following covered programs with their Assistance Listing (AL)
numbers are listed as follows:
<bullet> Community Facilities (CF) Loans; see 7 CFR part 1942,
subpart A; AL: 10.766.
<bullet> Community Facilities Grants; see 7 CFR part 3570, subpart
B; AL: 10.766.
<bullet> Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans; see 7 CFR part
5001; AL: 10.766.
<bullet> Water and Waste Disposal Program Guaranteed Loans; see 7
CFR part 5001; AL: 10.766.
<bullet> Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants; see 7 CFR part
1780; AL: 10.760.
<bullet> Rural Business Development Grants; see 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E; AL: 10.351.
<bullet> Community Connect Grants: see 7 CFR part 1739, subpart A;
AL: 10.863.
Dates: See information provided in the DATES section of this
notice.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program
SECD supports projects that promote and partially or completely
implement strategic community investment plans. These plans use the
unique strengths of rural communities to advance prosperity. USDA RD
helps finance and/or fund these projects to build community prosperity
by using community assets, identifying resources, convening partners,
and leveraging Federal, state, local or private funding.
[[Page 4495]]
In FY 2026, the Agency plans to implement SECD through reserving
funds from the covered programs' appropriations as provided in 7 CFR
part 1980, subpart K. This notice provides requirements to applicants
submitting applications for the covered programs' reserved funds and
establishes the above-mentioned priority effective upon the publication
of this notice.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority
These funds are made available under Section 379H of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended (7 U.S.C.
2008v).
3. The Covered Programs
Section 379H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 2008v), authorizes any program under the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (Pub. L. 87-128), as determined by the
Secretary, to give priority to applications that support the
implementation of multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic
community investment plans.
Accordingly, the Agency is giving priority to projects implementing
strategic community investment plans in FY 2026 through the following
RD programs:
<bullet> Community Facilities Loans; see 7 CFR part 1942, subpart
A.
<bullet> Community Facilities Grants; see 7 CFR part 3570, subpart
B.
<bullet> Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans; see 7 CFR part
5001.
<bullet> Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed Loans; see 7
CFR part 5001.
<bullet> Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants; see 7 CFR part
1780.
<bullet> Rural Business Development Grants; see 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E.
<bullet> Community Connect Grants, see 7 CFR part 1739.
4. Application of Awards
The Agency will review, evaluate, and score each application based
on the criteria specified in 7 CFR 1980.1020, to award points for each
program's competition for the SECD reserved funds.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Awards: Guaranteed loans, direct loans and grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2026 appropriated funds.
Available Funds: The amount of reserved funds available for SECD
projects is dependent on the amount of available appropriated funding
provided to each of the covered programs during the fiscal year.
Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and
subsequently awarded. The Agency advises that all interested parties
bear the financial burden of preparing and submitting an application in
response to this Notice.
For FY 2026 applications, the following table specifies the
anticipated percentage of funds being reserved for the covered SECD
programs:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated percentage of
Program funds reserved for SECD
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Connect Grants.................. 10
Community Facilities Loans................ 10
Community Facilities Grants............... 5
Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans..... 5
Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loans. 10
Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans..... 5
Water and Waste Disposal Grants........... 3
Rural Business Development Grants......... 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Award Amounts: Guaranteed loans, direct loans and grants will be
awarded in amounts consistent with the requirements of each applicable
covered program.
Anticipated Award Dates: Awards for SECD applications submitted to
the covered programs in FY 2026 will be obligated on or before June 30,
2026, for Community Facilities (CF) and Water and Waste Disposal Loans
and Grants; on or before July 31, 2026 for Rural Business Development
Grant (RBDG); and on or before September 30, 2026, for Community
Connect Grants. The Agency will return any reserved funds that are not
obligated by the obligation deadline to each covered program's regular
funding account for obligation of eligible projects in that program.
Performance Period: Performance period will vary by covered
program.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards:
N/A.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grants, direct loans, and loan
guarantees.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To be considered for SECD reserved funds, both the applicant and
project must meet the eligibility requirements of the covered program.
These requirements vary among the covered programs and applicants
should refer to the regulations for those programs, which are
referenced in Section A.3. of this notice.
The Agency supports community and regional planning through the
SECD regulation without making any changes to the applicant eligibility
requirements of the covered programs. The SECD regulation includes
three criteria that a project must meet to be considered for the SECD
reserve funding (see 7 CFR 1980.1010).
The first criterion, as noted above, is that the project meets the
applicable eligibility requirements of the covered program for which
the applicant is applying.
The second criterion is that the project is ``carried out in a
rural area'' as defined in 7 CFR 1980.1005. As defined, this means
either the entire project is physically located in a rural area, or all
the beneficiaries of the service(s) provided through the project must
either reside in or be located in a rural area. Note that the
definition of ``rural'' varies among the covered programs and the SECD
regulation (7 CFR part 1980, subpart K) does not change those
definitions. Therefore, the applicable program regulations as outlined
in Section A.2 of this notice should be reviewed as necessary.
The third criterion is that the project supports partial or
complete implementation of a strategic community investment plan on a
multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral basis as defined in 7 CFR
1980.1005.
To be considered for the reserved funds from covered programs in FY
2026, applicants must: (1) meet all requirements of the covered
program; (2) meet all requirements in accordance with 7 CFR part 1980,
subpart K (see 7 CFR 1980.1010); and (3) submit Form RD 1980-88 and the
supporting
[[Page 4496]]
documentation required in 7 CFR 1080.1015, in addition to their program
application, which includes:
<bullet> Sufficient information to show that the project will be
carried out in a rural area, as defined by the appropriate covered
program; and
<bullet> Identification of any current or previous applications the
applicant has submitted for funds from the covered programs.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
All cost sharing, matching, and cost participation requirements of
the applicable covered program apply to projects seeking SECD reserved
funds.
3. Other
All other eligibility requirements (beyond those identified in
Section C.1 of this notice) found in the covered programs' regulations
applying to applicants, their projects, and the beneficiaries of those
projects are unchanged by either this notice or the regulations for the
SECD program (7 CFR part 1980, subpart K).
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
Information on how to submit applications is provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applicants must submit the Form RD 1980-88, ``Strategic Economic
and Community Development (Section 6401),'' located at <a href="https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/">https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eForms/</a>, with their program application to the
appropriate covered program.
3. System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25</a>). To register in SAM,
entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at <a href="https://sam.gov/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/entity-registration</a>.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by
a federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicant must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110</a>).
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a federal award to another
applicant.
4. Application Submission Deadlines
Each of the participating covered programs has different
established deadlines for receipt of applications. Please refer to the
Agency website or the appropriate covered program's Federal Register
Notice for application deadline information. The Agency will not
solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility information that is
submitted after the application deadline. The covered RD programs also
reserve the right to ask applicants for clarifying information and
additional verification of assertions in the application.
5. Intergovernmental Review
This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
6. Funding Restrictions
All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in
preparing and submitting applications.
7. Other Submission Requirements
(a) SECD applications must be submitted electronically to the USDA
RD Office servicing the area where the project is located. RD State
Offices can be found here: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state">https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state</a>.
(b) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant Program applicants
must submit SECD applications electronically at <a href="https://usdagcc.sharepoint.com/sites/rd_ic/SECD">https://usdagcc.sharepoint.com/sites/rd_ic/SECD</a>.
(c) For lenders assigned an OneRD Loan Guarantee Initiative
Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), SECD applications must be
submitted to their assigned CRM.
(d) Community Connect Grant Program applicants must submit SECD
applications electronically at: <a href="https://reconnect-apply.rd.usda.gov">https://reconnect-apply.rd.usda.gov</a>.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
All FY 2026 applications for covered programs will be reviewed,
evaluated, and scored based on the covered program's scoring criteria.
This notice does not affect that process. This notice only affects the
scoring of SECD applications competing for a covered program's SECD
reserve funds.
For applicants wishing to be considered for reserved SECD funds in
FY 2026, the Agency will review, evaluate, and score each application
based on the criteria specified in 7 CFR 1980.1020, to award points for
each covered program's SECD reserved funds.
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency will prioritize applications competing for a covered
program's reserved funds based on the covered program's awarded points
plus the SECD earned points to determine which projects receive
reserved funds. SECD points awarded are added to the covered program's
application score to elevate and prioritize projects for accessing
reserved funds. The RD covered programs reserve the right to offer the
applicant less than the funding requested.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
The Agency will notify SECD applicants who receive funding in a
manner consistent with award notifications for the covered program.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Any and all additional requirements of the applicable covered
programs apply to projects receiving funding in response to this
notice. Please see the regulations for the applicable covered program.
3. Reporting Requirements
Any and all post-award covered program reporting requirements apply
to all projects receiving reserved funds in response to this notice.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this notice, please contact your
respective Rural Development State Office listed at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state">https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state</a> and other points of contact provided in
the For Further Information Contact section of this notice.
[[Page 4497]]
H. Build America, Buy America
Funding to Non-Federal Entities. Awardees that are Non-Federal
Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any State, local
government, Indian tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or nonprofit
organization, shall be governed by the requirements of Section 70914 of
the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58. Any requests for waiver of
these requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance
available online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver">https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver</a>.
I. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
information collection requirements contained in 7 CFR part 1980,
subpart K, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0068.
National Environmental Policy Act
All recipients under this notice are subject to the requirements of
7 CFR part 1b.
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be
registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of
this notice. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
Civil Rights
All awards of Federal financial assistance made under this notice
are subject to applicable civil rights laws, which may include Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title VIII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1968, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1973, and
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations
(1) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq. USDA will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate for
or against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious
character, motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of
conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a
similarly situated secular organization.
(2) A faith-based organization that participates in this program
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
(3) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious
activities except when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the
First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An organization
receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing
services funded by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to
such services, discriminate against a program beneficiary or
prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or
participate in a religious practice.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status,
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or
local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the
Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than
English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to
File a Program Discrimination Complaint (<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-assistant-secretary-civil-rights/how-file-program-discrimination-complaint">https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-assistant-secretary-civil-rights/how-file-program-discrimination-complaint</a>) and at any USDA
office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter
all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or
letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop
9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5a5a7bab2a7b4b8fbbcbba1b4beb095a0a6b1b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0575776a627764682b6c6b71646e6045707661642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Anthony Priest,
Acting Chief of Staff, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2026-01934 Filed 1-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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