Uncle Sam can help you build a new library or renovate the one you have.

The Community Facilities program at the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development offers long-term, low-interest loans and limited grant funding for library construction and renovation.

There are several eligibility requirements associated with the program. Being located in a rural area is one eligibility requirement. The definition of a "rural area" is a city, town or unincorporated area with a population of not more that 20,000 inhabitants. Another eligibility criteria is that the applicant must be unable to finance the proposed project from their own resources or through commercial credit at reasonable rates and terms.

Last year in rural America, USDA Rural Development funded 25 library facilities with 10 loans ($4,631,400) and 23 grants ($1,865,500).

There are five USDA Rural Development offices in Michigan that administer the Community Facility programs. Those USDA folks welcome the opportunity to explain the program in detail.

STATE OFFICE
Frank Tuma, Director (5156)
Jamie L. Teachworth, Specialist (5206)
Robert J. Boruszewski, Engineer (5223)
Andrew H. Granskog, Env.Engineer (5209)
James Ryan, Architect (5195)
3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200
East Lansing, MI 48823
COM: 517-324-5156
FAX: 517-324-5225
frank.tuma@mi.usda.gov
Internet: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

GLADSTONE AREA OFFICE
Donald Gerrie, Area Director
Duane Reid, Specialist
Jim Yoder, Specialist
Brenda Stevenson, Specialist
Ann Young, Specialist
2003 Minneapolis
Gladstone, MI 49837
COM: 906-428-1060 ext. 6
FAX: 906-428-1086
duane.reid@mi.usda.gov
jim.yoder@mi.usda.gov
brenda.stevenson@mi.usda.gov
ann.young@mi.usda.gov

TRAVERSE CITY AREA OFFICE
Shelly Fuller, Area Director
Blake Smith, Specialist
Valarie Handy, Specialist
1501 Cass St., Suite A
Traverse City, MI 49684
COM: 231-941-0951 ext. 6
FAX: 231-929-7890
blake.smith@mi.usda.gov
valarie.handy@mi.usda.gov

GRAND RAPIDS AREA OFFICE
Richie Youngblood, Area Director
Todd MacLean, Specialist
Paul Bristol, Specialist
3260 Eagle Park Dr., Suite 107
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
COM: 616-942-4111 ext. 6
FAX: 616-949-6042
todd.maclean@mi.usda.gov
paul.bristol@mi.usda.gov

CARO AREA OFFICE
Douglas MacDowell, Area Director
Christine Maxwell, Specialist
Adrin Wagner, Specialist
PO Box 291, 1075 Cleaver Road
Caro, MI 48723
COM: 989-673-7588 ext. 6
FAX: 989-673-1848
chris.maxwell@mi.usda.gov
adrin.wagner@mi.usda.gov

MASON AREA OFFICE
Kevin Smith, Area Director
525 N. Okemos Rd Suite B
Mason, MI 48854
COM: 517-676-1808
FAX: 517-676-1909
BJ Haire, Specialist
COM: 517-242-5844
FAX: 734-468-8500
bj.haire@mi.usda.gov
Mary Capizzo, Specialist
1525 N. Elms Rd
Flint, MI 48532
COM: 810-230-8766 ext. 4
FAX: 810-230-2404
mary.capizzo@mi.usda.gov

For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/non_profit_cf.htm#Community%20Facilities%20Direct%20Loan

Source; Betsy Hull, continuing education coordinator, Library of Michigan, 517-373-3746, hullb1@michigan.gov, November 3, 2009.