The U.S. Department of Agriculture is cutting red tape in four of its flagships ag loan programs to make it easier to invest in rural America. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Johnathan Hladik says because these programs are even more important due to the pandemic’s negative impact on the ag economy, it’s more critical than ever that they operate efficiently.
He says it’s positive the USDA plans to conduct a series of listening sessions this summer on their proposed changes.
Hladik says it’s good that the USDA is in the process of eliminating duplicative processes and launching a single platform for the four loan programs.
The four loan programs being streamlined include: the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, and the Rural Energy for America Guaranteed Loan Program.
