HR 6661 — Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

(a) Loans to private business enterprises (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Aquaculture The term “aquaculture” means the culture or husbandry of aquatic animals or plants by private industry for commercial purposes including the culture and growing of fish by private industry for the purpose of creating or augmenting publicly owned and regulated stocks of fish. (B) Solar energy The term “solar energy” means energy derived from sources (other than fossil fuels) and technologies included in the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, as amended [42 U.S.C. 5901 et seq.]. (2) Loan purposes The Secretary may make and insure loans to public, private, or cooperative organizations organized for profit or nonprofit and private investment funds that invest primarily in cooperative organizations, to Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations or other federally recognized Indian tribal groups, or to individuals for the purposes of— (A) improving, developing, or financing business, industry, and employment (including through the financing of working capital) and improving the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement and control; (B) the conservation, development, and use of water for aquaculture purposes in rural areas; (C) reducing the reliance on nonrenewable energy resources by encouraging the development and construction of solar energy systems and other renewable energy systems (including wind energy systems and anaerobic digestors for the purpose of energy generation), including the modification of existing systems, in rural areas; and (D) to facilitate economic opportunity for industries undergoing adjustment from terminated Federal agricultural price and income support programs or increased competition from foreign trade. (3) Loan guarantees Loans described in paragraph (2), when originated, held, and serviced by other lenders, may be guaranteed by the Secretary under this section without regard to paragraphs (1) and (4) of section 1983 of this title. (4) Maximum amount of principal No loan may be made, insured, or guaranteed under this subsection that exceeds $25,000,000 in principal amount. (b) Solid waste management grants (1) In general The Secretary may make grants to nonprofit organizations for the provision of regional technical assistance to local and regional governments and related agencies for the purpose of reducing or eliminating pollution of water resources and improving the planning and management of solid waste disposal facilities. Grants made under this paragraph for the provision of technical assistance shall be made for 100 percent of the cost of such assistance. (2) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023. (c) Rural business development grants (1) In general The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) in rural areas that primarily serve rural areas for purposes described in paragraph (3). (2) Eligible entities The Secretary may make grants under this subsection to— (A) governmental entities; (B) Indian tribes; and (C) nonprofit entities. (3) Eligible purposes for grants Eligible entities that receive grants under this subsection may use the grant funds for— (A) business opportunity projects that— (i) identify and analyze business opportunities; (ii) identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; (iii) assist in the establishment of new rural businesses and the maintenance of existing businesses, including through business support centers; (iv) conduct regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development; and (v) establish centers for training, technology, and trade that will provide training to rural businesses in the use of interactive communicat...