Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH)

Objective

To make predevelopment planning grants for feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance to financially distressed communities in rural areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste disposal projects.

Who Can Apply

• Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages)
• Nonprofit Organization

Applicants must be (1) public bodies or governmental entities such as states, municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State; (2) nonprofit organizations such as associations, cooperatives, private nonprofit corporations, and institutions of higher education and hospitals; or, (3) Native American Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations, other federally recognized Indian tribes, and Native American Organizations (includes Indian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, and associations. Applicants must demonstrate that they are financially distressed and unable to fund the project through their own means.

Who Benefits

• U.S. Territories
• State
• Local
• Public nonprofit institution/organization
• Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments

Beneficiaries are the entities or organizations eligible to develop projects under the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Eligible entities include (1) public bodies or governmental entities such as municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State, (2) nonprofit organizations such as associations, cooperatives, and private nonprofit corporations, (3) Native American Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

Michele.Brooks@usda.gov
(202) 690-1078