Small entrepreneurs in rural communities — people starting businesses with fewer than 10 employees — can access microloans through a USDA program, but the current maximum is $50,000 per loan. This bill raises that cap to $75,000, allows up to half the loan to go toward real estate improvements like construction or demolition, increases the federal cost-share for technical assistance grants from 75% to 100%, and extends the program's funding through 2030. It's aimed at giving rural small business owners more capital and support to grow.
Congressional Summary
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and revises the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). This Department of Agriculture program provides loans and grants to eligible microenterprise development organizations to (1) capitalize revolving loan funds that provide loans to qualified rural microenterprises (i.e., sole proprietorships located in rural areas or business entities with not more than 10 full-time employees located in a rural area), and (2) provide related training and technical assistance.The bill increases the amount a rural microenterprise may borrow to up to $75,000 (from up to $50,000).The bill also increases the maximum allowable federal cost share to 100% (from 75%). The bill further specifies that a RMAP project loan may not be used to cover more than 50% of any demolition, construction, or related costs of real estate improvements.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Action Date
- Date Added
- 2026-04-02