About RMAP

What is RMAP?

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program is the only federal program that finances the capitalization of microloan revolving loan funds that exclusively serve rural areas.

By providing low-interest loans and technical assistance grants to Microentrepreneur Development Organizations (MDOs), RMAP makes it possible for these intermediary lenders to provide capital and business training to small business owners and entrepreneurs who call rural Main Street home.

How it works

  • USDA provides 20-year, one percent interest rate loans and technical assistance grants to MDOs

  • MDOs provide loans and business training to rural microentrepreneurs

  • To qualify, ultimate loan recipients must be located in a rural area, employ 10 or fewer individuals, and lack access to capital from traditional lenders

Program authorization

RMAP was authorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

Learn more about RMAP