CONCORD, NH, (January 8, 2014) - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be hosting two workshops in January aimed at helping rural New Hampshire municipalities and non-profit organizations access more than $18 million in government loans through its Community Facilities Program. The two workshops will be held in Concord on January 15th at 1 p.m. at the USDA Service Center at 10 Ferry Street, Suite 218, and in Conway on January 23rd at 1 p.m. at the USDA Service Center at 73 Main Street.

"USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program can help a non-profit organization or municipality purchase equipment or build an essential community facility," said USDA Rural Development Vermont and New Hampshire State Director Ted Brady. "Though grant funding has decreased, USDA has made a large amount of direct loan funding available recently, enabling organizations to access long-term, affordable debt with very flexible terms. These loans can help provide great opportunities for rural Americans."

USDA workshops are designed to provide non-profits, community officials and local leaders with the tools and resources needed to complete an application for the Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program. Eligible purposes for USDA Community Facilities Program direct loans include purchasing equipment, energy efficiency improvements, repairs/upgrades to existing buildings, and the purchase and or construction of a new building. Examples of facilities aided by these loans include assisted living, health centers, educational institutions, libraries, cultural centers, theaters, museums, libraries, public buildings, and food security (including farmers' markets, food banks, pantries and food shelves).

For detailed program information visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HCF_CF.html. Applications are available on our website, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/VTNH-ComFacLoanGrant.html.

For pre-registration, email Karen A. Demers at karen.demers@nh.usda.gov or call (603) 223-6045.

Requests for special accommodations must be made by January 13, 2014.