ARRA Grant Money Available for Rural Libraries

During the last week notices were sent concerning grant money that is available for libraries and other community facilities through the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant Program. After meeting with local USDA Business and Community Programs Directors, the Colorado State Library would like to share some information with you concerning this opportunity.

Download a PDF of this information

• This money is being offered through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).
• The funds will help rural communities up to 20,000 in population to improve their community facilities (including libraries), enhance educational opportunities, and improve economic conditions. Specifically, eligible purposes include:
  • Construct, enlarge, extend, or improve essential community facilities
  • Obtain necessary equipment for the operation of these facilities
  • Reasonable fees such as engineering, legal, administrative environmental analysis, surveys, and planning
  • Cost of acquiring interest in land; rights, such as water rights, leases, permits, and rights-of-way
• The loans and grants are available to public entities including municipalities, counties and special districts as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments with the legal authority necessary for construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.
• Colorado has received $2.2M of the nationally available $100M. This money needs to be earmarked by September 30, 2010. Projects do not need to be completed by this date.
• 80% of this money will be available as loans, 20% of the money is available as grants.
• Community Facilities Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in smaller communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility and availability of funds.
• Applications are handled by USDA Rural Development field offices.

Due to Colorado Tabor laws, governmental entities such as municipalities, counties, and special districts will need to work closely with the USDA field officers and get legal advice on their eligibility for any loans. If you have a project in mind, please contact one of the following field offices listed at the bottom of this email and set up an appointment to discuss the opportunity. Field officers are available to come to your library to talk about the program.
Please note that should ballot issue 61 pass this fall, future revenues would have to be reduced by the average annual debt service payments after the borrowing term expired. Library boards and directors should understand the possible implications of the ballot issue (61) as they discuss any loans with field officers from USDA.

The State Library had planned to hold a webinar on this grant/loan opportunity, but the complexity of the issues make it more desirable for individuals who are interested to go directly to the USDA field officers for information. Visit the USDA website.

Alamosa (719) 589-5661 x4
(Alamosa, Chafee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Mineral, Park, Rio Grande, Saguache and Teller)

Cortez (970) 565-8416 x4
(Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel)

Craig (970) 824-3476 x4
(Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit)

Delta (970) 874-5735 x4
(Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Lake, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Pitkin)

Las Animas (719) 456-0120 x4
(Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo)

State Office (Lakewood) (720) 544-2903 or (800) 424-6214

Wray (970) 332-3107 x4
(Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Cheyenne, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma)