Cob Re: Grants and Loans

[SANCO Enterprises <Paul & Mary Salas>]

To Bale Heads, Cobbers and E-Shippers,

This is a response to the post by DeweyLindstrom (text snipped to save
space). The Farmers Home Administration appears to have merged between
HUD and USDA programs.

If you're looking for grants and low interest loans, there are a few
options available. A good place to start is at the Federal Domestic
Assistance Catalog http://www.gsa.gov/fdac/default.htm, query the
catalog and type in key words ---- it's worth the effort.

If your homestead can be called a farm, both HUD and the USDA have
programs that can help fund buildings and operations. Here's an example
10.407  Farm Ownership Loans
FEDERAL AGENCY: FARM SERVICE AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OBJECTIVES: To assist eligible farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture
operators, including farming cooperatives, corporations, partnerships,
and joint operations, through the extension of credit and supervisory
assistance to: Become owner-operators of not larger than family
farms; make efficient use of the land, labor, and other resources; carry
on sound and successful farming operations; and enable farm families to
have a reasonable standard of living.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Loan funds may be used to:  (1) Enlarge,
improve, and buy family farms; (2) provide necessary water and water
facilities; (3) provide basic soil treatment and land conservation
measures; (4) construct, repair, and improve essential buildings needed
in the operation of a family farm; (5) construct or repair farm
dwellings; (6) provide facilities to produce fish under controlled
conditions.

Sweat Equity Programs
14.247 Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program is a HUD Applicant
Eligibility: Funds are made available directly to Habitat for Humanity
International Program

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
 Applicant Eligibility: Funds are made available directly to Habitat for
Humanity International under section 11 of the Extension Act. In
addition, other nonprofit national or regional organizations or
consortia that have experience in providing self-help housing
homeownership opportunities may receive funds based upon submission and
approval of an expression of interest.

If you have a technique, process or method that has commercial
possibilities, the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant
process may be the ticket for you.  Our company applied for and received
a Phase I $60,000 grant from the USDA to evaluate Earth-Cellulose
Material for Rural Homes. Of 417 applications, only 12 were approved and
there is a ton of paperwork and it took us about a year to prepare the
proposal. The the nice part is that only those who received a Phase I
award are eligible to apply for Phase II which is a $250,000 grant.
There are 10 SBIR programs available and all have different goals and
objectives. Go to http://www.sbir.dsu.edu/home/agencies.htm and search
for one that fits your needs.

Paul