SECD Applicant Checklist.pdf

Together, America Prospers

Strategic Economic and Community Development Applicant Checklist Project name:

Project application for one of the following programs (check one only):

Community Facilities Loan Program Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan Community Facilities Grant Program Program Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans Water and Waste Loans and Grants Rural Business Development Grants Community Connect Grant Program

NOTE: The project must comply with all program eligibility requirements to be considered for SECD reserved funds.

Required Information:

Is the project in a rural area? Yes. (Project must be located in an eligible rural area to qualify.)

Include Form 1980-88 with the following details:

Table of contents – including page numbers – for supporting documentation

Attachment A(s) – Plan objectives NOTE: A separate Attachment A is required for each objective submitted. For example, if you submit an application that includes three objectives, three Attachment A documents must accompany your Form 1980-88.

Attachment B: Previous SECD applications (if applicable)

Required Elements of the Multijurisdictional and Multisectoral Strategic Community Investment Plan:

The plan covers more than one jurisdiction, and includes participation from more than one sector ("Jurisdiction" means a unit of government or other entity with similar powers.

Jurisdiction examples include cities, counties, districts, special purpose districts, townships, towns, boroughs, parishes, villages, states, and Tribes. Examples of sectors include business, education, nonprofit and health care, among others.

The plan was developed with participation from multiple stakeholders.

The plan demonstrates an understanding of - and leverages - the region’s assets.

(Continued)

The plan includes investments (monetary and nonmonetary) from strategic partners such as private and philanthropic organizations, cooperatives, government entities (other than the U.S. Department of Agriculture), and Tribes.

The plan proposes a variety of activities designed to promote a future rural community vision, including considerations for improving and expanding broadband services.

The plan contains clear objectives, including performance measures, action steps for implementation, and methods to track progress toward achieving the objectives.

Evidence of a qualified multijurisdictional and multisectoral plan:

Submit an official letter from the appropriate jurisdictional authority approving the plan. This letter can either be included with the plan, or submitted as a separate exhibit.

Documentation* showing the plan was developed in collaboration with multiple stakeholders in the plan's jurisdiction.

Documentation* showing the plan demonstrates an understanding - and leverage of - the region’s assets that can support the plan.

Documentation* showing the plan includes monetary or nonmonetary contributions from strategic partners (other than the U.S. Department of Agriculture), if applicable. NOTE: Your documentation must demonstrate the connection between the project and the plan.

Documentation* showing the plan proposes a variety of activities designed to facilitate a rural community's future vision, including consideration for improving and expanding broadband services.

Documentation* showing clear objectives with performance measures, action steps for implementation, and methods to track progress toward achieving the plan’s objectives.

NOTE: Referencing Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) - by providing links to web addresses alone - does NOT suffice as supporting documentation, but can be included if available. Supporting documentation must be attached to your SECD package.

*Documentation must include page numbers - or pages containing plan excerpts - as exhibits referring to sections in the plan that address the items above.

As the leading federal agency for rural development and prosperity, we work to help rural communities grow and prosper.

For additional resources and information about our business, community or housing programs, contact our program specialists at 1-800-670-6553 or visit us online at www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

March 2026 http://www.rd.usda.gov