Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service

Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service salaries and expenses For necessary expenses of the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service, including administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended; section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926; for activities relating to the marketing aspects of cooperatives, including economic research findings, as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for activities with institutions concerning the development and operation of agricultural cooperatives; and cooperative agreements; $9,013,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944, and not to exceed $250,000 may be used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109. rural business and industry loans program account (including transfers of funds) For the cost of guaranteed loans, $6,437,000, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1928 and 86 Stat. 661–664, as amended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That such sums shall remain available until expended for the disbursement of loans obligated in fiscal year 1996: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of guaranteed loans of $500,000,000: Provided further, That of the amounts available for the cost of guaranteed loans including the cost of modifying loans, $148,000, to subsidize gross obligations for the loan principal, any part of which is guaranteed, not to exceed $10,842,000, shall be available for empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Provided further, That if such funds are not obligated for empowerment zones and enterprise communities by June 30, 1996, they remain available for other authorized activities under this head. 109 STAT. 320 In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $14,868,000, of which $14,747,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for “Salaries and Expenses”. rural development loan fund program account For the cost of direct loans, $22,395,000, as authorized by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)): Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans of $37,544,000: Provided further, That through June 30, 1996, of these amounts, $4,322,000 shall be available for the cost of direct loans, for empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconcilation Act of 1993, to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, $7,246,000. In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan programs, $1,476,000, of which $1,470,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for “Salaries and Expenses”. rural economic development loans program account (including transfers of funds) For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized under section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the purpose of promoting rural economic development and job creation projects, $12,865,000. For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, $3,729,000. In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program, $654,000, which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for “Salaries and Expenses”. alternative agricultural research and commercialization revolving fund For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901–5908), $6,500,000 is appropriated to the alternative agricultural research and commercialization revolving fund. rural business enterprise grants For grants authorized under section 310B(c) and 310B(j) (7 U.S.C. 1932) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to any qualified public or private nonprofit organization, $45,000,000, of which $8,381,000 shall be available through June 30, 1996, for assistance to empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, after which any funds not obligated shall remain available for other authorized purposes under this head: Provided, That $500,000 shall be available for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance 109 STAT. 321 and training for rural communities needing improved passenger transportation systems or facilities in order to promote economic development. rural technology and cooperative development grants For grants pursuant to section 310(f) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1932), $2,300,000, of which up to $1,300,000 may be available for the appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.