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Rural Economic Development Loan Program

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  1. Member Services
  2. Rural Economic Development Loan Program

Through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Bluestem supports and works with businesses and industries to make application for funding through several different loan programs for new start-up businesses, expansion of existing businesses and community facilities.

The programs in which Bluestem participates are listed below:

New Business and Expansion Projects

Through the business and industry program, Bluestem may apply for 0% loans for new or start-up business, which requires a 20% match of funding, in kind or a monetary match injected by the applicant or 20% in supplemental funding from other sources.

This program is set up with a 2-year deferred payment of principal to Rural Development at 0% interest and requires an irrevocable letter of credit supporting the total amount of the loan from a bank or lending agency.  Most lending agencies will assess an annual fee to provide this irrevocable letter of credit and may obligate to do interim financing.

Bluestem will also assess a small administrative fee to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Expansion Projects of Existing Businesses

This program is the same as above and has the same requirements, with the exception of only 1-year deferred principal payments.

Application Deadlines, Funding and Eligibility

Applications must be submitted prior to the 14th of each month and are evaluated on a quarterly basis. The amount of funding is made available at the beginning of Rural Development's fiscal year beginning October 1st and the amount varies from year to year.  

There are many factors which determine eligibility to receive funding through these programs, including but not limited to:

  • Job creation for rural areas
  • Population of a community and/or rural area
  • Median household income
  • Number of additional jobs to be created over a number of years after start-up
  • Benefit to a community and the surrounding area.
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Contact Info

Bluestem Electric Cooperative

P.O. Box 5
1000 South Wind Dr.
Wamego, KS 66547
Office: 800-558-1580

About Us

Bluestem serves parts of Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee, Jackson, Clay, Washington, Cloud, Ottawa, Dickinson, Geary and Marshall counties.

Over the years, the cooperative has added valuable programs and services for its members so that they can fully enjoy the many benefits of rural living. Give us a call or stop by for additional information about our programs and services.

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©2023 Bluestem Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Your Cooperative
    • Cooperative Bylaws
    • Management Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Job Openings
  • Member Services
    • About Your Bill
    • Capital Credits
    • Connect or Disconnect Service
    • Figuring Your Electric Usage
    • Outage Map
    • Payment Options
    • Products
    • Rural Economic Development Loan Program
    • Save On Your Bill
    • Solar & Wind Energy
    • Tax Exemption Form
  • Safety
    • Cold Weather Rule
    • Essential Medical Equipment
    • Electrical Line Safety
    • Generator Safety
    • What's On That Pole
  • News & Events
    • Annual Meeting Information
    • Kansas Country Living
    • February's Cold Weather Event
    • Scholarships
  • Contact Us