Summary of USDA Program and Resources in Insular Areas, Including American Samoa

USDA Rural Development in AMERICAN SAMOA

Excerpt from: USDA - RURAL DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING PAPER - Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, & Marshall Islands
INTERAGENCY GROUP ON INSULAR AREAS (IGIA) - FEBRUARY 28, 2012

RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS
• Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has assisted over 186 homeowners with over $1.3 million in Home Improvement and Repair Loans and Grant Programs.
• American Samoa’s “Communal” land tenure system has prevented Rural Development from utilizing its flagship Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program (502 Loan Program). Rural Development has been working with the Development Bank of American Samoa to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to provide “security” for homeownership loans.
 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
• In 2011, a $110,000 Community Facilities Grant was awarded to the LBJ Hospital for the purchase of much needed microbiology equipment.
• Rural Development is currently working on a $1.5 million Community Facilities loan application received from a faith-based school project.
 

RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
• Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan. In 2010, a $16.7 million B&I Guaranteed Loan was approved with the American Samoa Hawaii Cable, LLC (ASHC) and American Samoa Cable, LLC (ASC) for the purchase of fiber optic cable. In addition, Rural Development is in discussion with Tri-Marine Group,
Inc. for a $30 million B&I Guaranteed Loan for a tuna cannery processing facility.
 

RURAL UTILITY SERVICES
• In 2010, The American Samoa Telecommunication Authority (ASTCA) received an $81 million grant and $10 million loan under the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This project is being administered by the USDA Rural Development Rural Utility Service under the Broadband Initiative Program.
• In 2009 American Samoa Power authority received 2 grants totaling $3.14 million in High Energy Cost Grants provided for rural communities with home energy costs that are over 275 percent of the national average.