Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantees

USDA guarantees on commercial lender loans to businesses that create or save jobs in rural areas, for expansion, equipment, real estate, inventory, acquisitions or job-creating refinancing.

Run by

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development

Funding

Amount varies

No dollar cap stated. FY2026 guarantee: 85% for requests under $5,000,000; 80% for requests of $5,000,000 or more.

Who can apply

• For-profit or nonprofit businesses, cooperatives, tribes, public bodies or individuals engaged in business
• Project must be in a rural area outside cities of more than 50,000 residents (headquarters may be elsewhere)
• No lines of credit, housing, gambling, golf courses or owner distributions
• Biodigester and controlled environment agriculture applications are paused

How to apply

Ask your lender to apply for a B&I guarantee through the USDA Rural Development office in your state.

Timing

Lenders may apply year-round.

Last checked

2026-10-11

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