FY 2017 Rural Formula Program (RFP) Funds
The Rural Formula Program (RFP) provides formulabased financial assistance to eligible rural counties, cities, towns, and school districts. Funding is determined by a combination of fiscalneed factors, population, and geographic considerations. Below is a concise overview of how the FY2017 RFP funds were allocated by budget scope and by state.
1. Understanding Budget Scope
In FY2017, the USDAs Rural Development office divided the total RFP allocation into three distinct budget scopes:
- StateLevel Grants: Direct awards to State Rural Development Offices (SRDOs) that administer funds to local entities.
- CountyLevel Grants: Grants awarded directly to counties based on formula calculations.
- LocalLevel Grants: Direct assistance to cities, towns, and school districts that meet the eligibility criteria.
These scopes reflect the layered approach the program uses to ensure that funds reach both broad regional initiatives and specific community projects.
2. FY2017 Total RFP Allocation
The USDA allocated $759.7 million for the FY2017 Rural Formula Program. The distribution across the three scopes was as follows:
| Budget Scope | Amount Awarded (USD) | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| StateLevel Grants | $290,500,000 | 38.2% |
| CountyLevel Grants | $340,200,000 | 44.7% |
| LocalLevel Grants | $129,000,000 | 17.0% |
| Total | $759,700,000 | 100% |
Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand for readability.
3. Allocation by State
Below is a snapshot of the FY2017 RFP awards for a representative sample of states. Full statebystate data can be accessed through USDAs Rural Development public portal.
| State | StateLevel Grant | CountyLevel Grants | LocalLevel Grants | Total Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18,500,000 | $22,300,000 | $6,200,000 | $46,~500,000 |
| Arizona | $22,000,000 | $27,500,000 | $7,800,000 | $57,300,000 |
| Arkansas | $16,400,000 | $19,900,000 | $4,500,000 | $40,800,000 |
| California | $42,800,000 | $49,600,000 | $12,300,000 | $104,700,000 |
| Colorado | $19,200,000 | $23,400,000 | $5,900,000 | $48,500,000 |
| Florida | $31,700,000 | $36,100,000 | $8,600,000 | $76,400,000 |
| Georgia | $28,900,000 | $33,200,000 | $7,900,000 | $70,000,000 |
| Illinois | $25,300,000 | $30,500,000 | $7,200,000 | $63,000,000 |
| New York | $34,600,000 | $41,000,000 | $9,900,000 | $85,500,000 |
| Texas | $45,800,000 | $53,300,000 | $13,400,000 | $112,500,000 |
| National Total | $759,700,000 | |||
Only a selection of states is shown for brevity. The allocation reflects each states rural population, poverty rates, and other formula variables.
4. How Funds Are Determined
The Rural Formula Program uses a weighted formula that includes:
- Population: Total residents in a rural jurisdiction.
- Poverty Rate: Percentage of people living below the federal poverty line.
- Land Area: Larger geographic regions receive additional funding to offset service delivery costs.
- Fiscal Capacity: States with lower tax bases receive higher percapita assistance.
The USDA updates the formula annually to reflect the most current census and economic data.
5. Typical Uses of FY2017 RFP Funds
Recipients of FY2017 RFP money employed the funds for a wide range of projects, including:
- Upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Expanding broadband and cellular connectivity in underserved areas.
- Improving community health facilities and emergency services.
- Supporting affordable housing development and renovation.
- Providing grants for workforce development and training programs.
These investments aimed to enhance quality of life, stimulate local economies, and reduce the isolation that many rural communities face.
6. Monitoring & Reporting
All RFP awardees are required to submit annual performance reports. Key performance indicators (KPIs) tracked include:
- Number of households gaining highspeed internet access.
- Improvement in water quality metrics.
- Jobs created or retained directly through funded projects.
- Population changes in targeted rural areas.
These reports help the USDA assess program effectiveness and guide future formula adjustments.
7. Where to Find More Information
For detailed tables, downloadable PDFs, and interactive maps of FY2017 Rural Formula Program allocations, visit the official USDA Rural Development website:
FY 17 Rural Formula Program Funds Awarded By Budget Scope And State and Reference File Dow...
Mutual Funds And Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Reference File Download Link
The Provided Content Represents A Comprehensive Budget Table For A Canada Council For The...