Strategic Economic and Community Development Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development

Jun 30, 2026

gregory.dale@usda.gov

State USDA Rural Development office contacts

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) is a program that allows USDA to give priority for projects that support the implementation of regional economic development plans through several USDA Rural Development funding programs:

• Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
• Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program
• Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program
• Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees
• Rural Business Development Grants
• Community Connect Grants

Consideration for regional development priority will be based on how well the project supports a multi-jurisdictional plan (called the Strategic Community Investment Plan) and how well the plan addresses collaboration and investments from other federal and philanthropic agencies.

To be eligible for SECD, a project must:

1. Be eligible for the underlying USDA funding program
2. Be carried out solely in a rural area
3. Support a multi-jurisdictional strategic economic community development plan

Nationwide

This is not a funding program. It is an application process to request priority points for specific USDA funding programs.

Guaranteed loans, direct loans and grants will be awarded in amounts consistent with the requirements of each applicable covered program.

The most recent application guidelines are available in the Federal Register Each associated funding program has its own guidelines and application requirements.

Awards for SECD applications submitted to the covered programs in FY 2026 will be obligated on or before:

• June 30, 2026 for Community Facilities and Water and Waste Disposal Loans, Grants, and Guarantees
• July 31, 2026 for Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)
• September 30, 2026 for Community Connect Grants

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