Brownfields 2006 November 13-16, 2006 Bill Gouzounis, Assistant State Director (MA/CT/RI)

About USDA Rural Development Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. Through our programs, we touch rural America in many ways. Rural Development achieves its mission by helping rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance needed to address their diverse and unique needs. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy.

About USDA Rural Development We have an $86 billion dollar portfolio of loans and we will administer nearly $16 billion in program loans, loan guarantees, and grants through our programs this fiscal year

Rural Development Programs Administered through three program areas: Rural Housing and Community Facilities Program Rural Utilities Program Rural Business & Cooperative Development Program USDA Rural Development: “The Venture Capitalists of Rural America.”

Community Development Programs Community Programs, a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Program, administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: The Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program The Community Facilities Direct Loan Program The Community Facilities Grant Program

Community Development Program Fund Uses Loan funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public services. This can include costs to acquire land needed for a facility, pay necessary professional fees, and purchase equipment required for its operation. Refinancing existing debts may be considered an eligible direct or guaranteed loan purpose if the debt being refinanced is a secondary part of the loan, is associated with the project facility, and if the applicant’s creditors are unwilling to extend or modify terms in order for the new loan to be feasible. The Community Facilities Grant Program is typically used to fund projects under special initiatives, such as Native American community development efforts; child care centers linked with the Federal government's Welfare-to-Work initiative; Federally-designated Enterprise and Champion Communities, and the Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative area. Grant assistance may be available for up to 75% of project costs. Grant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds.

USDA Rural Development provided over $5.2 million through the Community Facilities Guarantee program to Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. to refinance mortgage debt and renovate an historic mill in Whitinsville, MA. Since 1976, the non-profit corporation Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. has provided residential and employment services to adults with developmental or psychiatric disabilities. With its mill renovation, Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. plans to create an inclusive community in and around the mill which will meet an assortment of individual, organizational and community needs. The corporation envisions creating a multi-use center out of the mill site which will provide housing and employment training for the public and the disadvantaged, while creating additional retail, residential, professional and performing arts space to serve the community. The borrower will incorporate renewable energy technologies into the renovation and plans to restore the sites’ valuable, low-head hydropower generation site. The renovation will also includes the installation of photovoltaic panels and two geothermal wells.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the Farm Bill), established the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program under Title IX, Section This program currently funds grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small business for assistance with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements. In February 2006, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced the availability of $176.5 million in loan guarantees and almost $11.4 million in grants to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements by agricultural producers and small businesses.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Eligible Grant Purposes: Purchase and installation of equipment; Construction or improvements; Energy audits; Permit fees; Professional service fees; Feasibility studies; Business plans; Retrofitting.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program The Massachusetts Innovation Center in Fitchburg, MA was established in 1997 as a small business incubator and venture development community. The mills along the Nashua River that house the company are 125-year- old buildings that first housed a textile factory and later The Anwelt Shoe Corporation. MassInnovation’s mixed-use development offers office space for community organizations, is home to the North Central Charter Essential School, and will soon incorporate Anwelt Heritage Apartments - mixed-income rental residences. In September 2003, USDA Rural Development awarded MassInnovation with the highest grant amount available through the Renewable Energy Grant Program: $500,000.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program MassInnovation used the Renewable Energy Grant to install an integrated photovoltaic and geothermal system on and around the mill campus and is now home to the largest solar installation in New England. In all, the project cost $1 million and it includes 530 solar panels installed on the mills’ roof and on trellises. The solar panels will power the pumps for the geothermal wells. The solar system will be hooked up to the power grid and the electric company will pay 5 cents a kilowatt hour for any excess energy produced. The building's electric meter will spin backwards if the panels produce excess power. The system is capable of generating 165,000 kilowatt hours a year, enough to power 50 homes.

Water/Wastewater & Environmental Programs Water & Wastewater Loans & Grants Made to develop water and wastewater disposal systems in rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or less. In FY 2006, USDA Rural Development provided over $23 million in Water and Wastewater loan and grant funds to rural communities

The Georgetown Special Taxing District received a $5 million Direct Water/Wastewater Loan from USDA Rural Development in March, 2006 to renovate the Redding, CT Water Pollution Control Commission’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The renovation will increase treatment capacity from 75,000 gallons per day to 245,000 gallons per day. The upgrades are part of the Georgetown Special Taxing District’s larger Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill redevelopment project. The proposed mixed use development will result in approximately 416 residential units, 300,000 square feet of commercial space, and 31,500 square feet of light industrial space. The U.S. Treasury Department has approved $72 million in special tax- exempt bonds for this Brownfield re-development project and has designated the Georgetown Special Taxing District as a “qualified green building and sustainable design project.” Water/Wastewater & Environmental Programs

Rural Housing Programs Single Family Direct and Guaranteed (502 & 504 Program) Provides low cost financing for rural residents to buy, build or improve their home. Over $30 million was used in Southern New England during FY 2006 helping residents acquire and improve their housing. Multi-Family Housing (Section 515 Program) Provides low cost financing to develop affordable rental units for low income households Rural Development funds approximately 147 elderly/non- elderly and farm labor, multi-family housing complexes representing 4,864 units of low-income housing.

Rural Housing Programs Hoosac Court Apartments, a former elementary school in Adams, MA is a 12-unit Multi-Family complex funded through USDA Rural Development’s Section 515 Program. Rockport School Apartments, a former high school in Rockport, MA is a 31-unit Multi-Family, elderly complex funded through USDA Rural Development’s Section 515 Program.

Contact Us: State Offices Bill Gouzounis, Assistant State Director: (413)