About this programme
The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that makes loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations, such as Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF), so they can provide loan capital and technical assistance to entrepreneurs in rural communities. CSBDF administers RMAP loans across the state of North Carolina, offering loans up to $50,000 at a 7% interest rate for qualifying small business owners in USDA-designated rural areas.
CSBDF is a statewide nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that lends to start-ups and existing businesses, with an emphasis on businesses that have difficulty accessing traditional financing. Its homepage notes RMAP loans are available 'while supplies last', reflecting real funding uncertainty: CSBDF's public policy page states that the current administration's proposed fiscal year 2027 federal budget eliminates RMAP funding, and CSBDF has joined the RMAP Partners group in urging Congress to allocate $1.85 million for loan subsidies and $3.15 million for technical assistance grants to keep the program funded.
Who can apply
Business must be a qualifying rural business located in a USDA Rural area; applicants can check their eligibility through USDA's own eligibility lookup tool at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.
How to apply
- Check your address against USDA's Rural area eligibility tool.
- Visit CSBDF's Loans page to get connected with a Business Solutions Officer, who assists with the lending process. CSBDF requires a request-for-counseling consultation before the formal loan application, to review your eligibility and financing options.
- Gather required documentation, which may include personal and federal tax returns, financial statements, a business plan, and resumes of key management; your Business Solutions Officer works with you through the application.
Frequently asked
How much can I borrow and at what rate?
Up to $50,000 at a 7% interest rate.
How do I know if my business is in an eligible rural area?
Use the USDA Rural area eligibility checker linked from the RMAP page on CSBDF's site.
Is this loan always available?
CSBDF's site says RMAP loans are available while supplies last for eligible small business owners in USDA Rural areas. The program's federal funding is also currently at risk: CSBDF says the proposed FY2027 federal budget eliminates RMAP funding, and it is advocating with other RMAP partners for Congress to keep it funded.
Who actually funds RMAP?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which makes loans and grants to organizations like CSBDF, a Microenterprise Development Organization, to provide loan capital and technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.