The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress authorized nearly $1 billion in additional loan guarantee authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and created the Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program. 

For the first time, agricultural producers may access this program if they are ineligible for financing from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Any loan guaranteed by the B&I CARES Act Program must be used as working capital to prevent, prepare for or respond to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

USDA Rural Development will hold the South Dakota B&I CARES ACT Program Webinar on Thursday, June 18, at 11 a.m. CDT. Webinar topics will include program compliance and documents, application requirements, program resources, application process examples and guidance on how to apply.

For questions on the webinar, contact Tammi Schone at 605.352.1102. Register for the webinar. Cares Act program highlights.