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USDA/RBS RIN: 0570-AA71 Publication ID: Spring 2010 
Title: Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program--Section 6022 
Abstract: The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act) includes Section 6022 establishing the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). The Act mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture establish a program to make loans and grants to support microentrepreneurs in the development and ongoing success of rural microenterprises. The Act further mandates that entities will use funds borrowed from the Agency to make microloans of not more than $50,000 to rural microenterprises for eligible purposes; that the Agency will make grants to provide business based training and technical assistance; and that the Agency will provide funding to improve the capacity of rural Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to provide services to rural microenterprise clients. A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2009 [74 FR 51713], with a 45-day comment period, which ended November 23, 2009. As a result of comments received, the following highlights the more material changes to the rule: --Creation of technical assistance only grant program for non-lending MDOs. --Increasing the maximum size of technical assistance grants. --Implementation of a simplified interest rate structure. --Allowing MDOs with years or less experience as an MDO to fund the LLRF with Agency funds. --Removing the maximum margin requirement on loans made by the microlender to the microentrepreneur. --Implementation of a minimum score for eligibility for direct loans. This program requires a complete new set of regulations. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 7 CFR 4280-D     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: PL 110-246   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  10/07/2009  74 FR 51714   
NPRM Comment Period End  11/23/2009    
Interim Final Rule  04/00/2010    
Interim Final Rule Comment Period End  06/00/2010    
Final Rule  12/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Jody Raskind
Director, Specialty Programs Division
Department of Agriculture
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-3225
Phone:202 690-1400
Email: jody.raskind@wdc.usda.gov

Lori Pittman
Business Loan and Grant Analyst, Program Management Division
Department of Agriculture
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-3225
Phone:202 720-9815
Fax:202 720-2213
Email: lori.pittman@usda.gov