Section 5001.316 - [Effective 11/29/2024] CF project priority point system and reservation of fundsThis section applies to CF projects seeking a loan guarantee. Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section outline the criteria and amount of priority points that may be awarded to an application. The highest possible priority score is 55. Paragraph (e) of this section outlines the reservation of funds for projects located in rural areas of 20,000 population or less.
(a)Population priority. If the project will be located in a rural community having a population of less than 20,000-15 points.(b)Project priority. If the project will construct, enlarge, extend or otherwise improve a public safety, health clinic, early education, primary or secondary education facility-10 points.(c)Leveraging priority. If the applicant commits other funds to the project in the following percentages:(1) 50 percent or more-15 points(2) 20% up to 49%-10 points(3) 5% up to 19%-5 points(d)Administrator priority. When guaranteed loan funds are requested from a National Office reserve, the Administrator may assign up to 15 points to address:(1) Geographic distribution of funds;(2) Emergency conditions caused by economic problems or natural disasters; or(3) Initiatives that support the Agency's strategic plan.(e)Rural priority.(1) Of the funds available each Federal fiscal year, as published on the Agency's website, the following amounts shall be reserved for projects in rural areas with a population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants: (i) 100 percent of the first $200,000,000 so made available;(ii) 50 percent of the next $200,000,000 so made available; and(iii) 25 percent of all amounts exceeding $400,000,000 so made available.(2) On July 1 of each year, the Agency will evaluate the dollar amount of complete applications on hand for projects in rural areas with a population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants. The dollar amount of the complete applications will be subtracted from the reserved allocation identified in this paragraph (e) and the remaining amount will be made available through the end of the Federal fiscal year for projects in rural areas with a population of not more than 50,000 inhabitants.85 FR 42518, 10/1/2020; 89 FR 79722, 11/29/2024