In FY2021 the Agency approved 89 percent of B&I applications. By FY2023 that figure had fallen to 53 percent. The standard has tightened, the regulation has been amended, and the operational rules now sit in Administrator letters as much as in 7 CFR Part 5001 itself. This guide is what we wish existed when we started writing USDA feasibility studies.

The USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program just had its biggest year in history. It also rejected roughly one out of every two applications that crossed its desk. Both things are true at the same time, and the gap between them tells you almost everything you need to know about rural commercial lending in 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture obligated $1.8 billion through the USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program in fiscal 2024 — a record utilizati

The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) remains one of USDA's most effective rural business development tools, but the program faces declining funding, reduced grant caps, and severe staffing losses heading into FY2026. For feasibility study consultants and agricultural entrepreneurs, understanding the program's mechanics, strategic nuances, and evolving political landscape is essential. With approximately $25 million available in the current cycle (down from $30 million in F

The USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program stands as the federal government's largest rural commercial lending vehicle, offering guarantees on loans up to $25 million (and $40 million in select cases) to an unusually broad universe of borrowers — for-profit businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, tribes, and public bodies — for projects in communities of 50,000 or fewer. Now governed by the consolidated 7 CFR Part 5001 (the "OneRD" regulation, effective October 1,

Origins and Rise of an American Industrial Icon Caterpillar Inc. traces its roots back to the early 20th century, born from a 1925 merger of two California-based innovators in tractor technology: the Holt Manufacturing Company and C.L. Best Tractor Co.. Holt had developed the “caterpillar” track-type tractor – a name inspired by the machine’s undulating movement – and built a worldwide reputation, while Best brought a broad domestic dealer network and advanced tractor designs

The humble pizza, long a staple of American Friday nights, is losing some of its magic. After decades of dominance in quick-service dining, pizza restaurants are facing a stark reality: their once-dependable popularity is waning, and competitors are eating their lunch (and dinner). Industry data shows that the U.S. pizza restaurants market has been shrinking in recent years, even as other restaurant formats – from fried chicken chains to fast-casual eateries – are flourishin

Introduction President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing the reclassification of marijuana marks a watershed moment for U.S. drug policy. For the first time since 1970, the federal government is moving to loosen its stance on cannabis, shifting it from the most restrictive category of controlled substances to a less dangerous designation. The administration has framed the move as a bid to lower regulatory barriers and enable medical research on cannabis – a resp

At a sunny assisted living residence outside Phoenix, 89-year-old Marjorie Thompson begins her day with the help of a nursing aide who assists her in getting dressed and managing morning medications. Down the hall, a small group of residents gathers for a chair yoga class. It’s a tranquil scene that belies the dramatic shifts underway in senior care across the country. After three turbulent years of pandemic disruptions, America’s network of nursing homes and assisted living

The U.S. fast-food chicken restaurant industry, part of the limited-service restaurant category (NAICS 722513), has emerged as one of the most dynamic corners of quick service. As of 2025, it generates roughly $63.7 billion in annual revenue and employs about 775,000 people, with more than 150 businesses active nationwide. Growth has been robust in the post-pandemic recovery, with industry revenue expanding at an estimated 5.6% compound annual rate between 2020 and 2025, befo

Introduction: The U.S. bars and nightclubs industry has rebounded from pandemic-era disruptions and is now a $39 billion market, albeit one with thin margins and high volatility. As consumers return to social nightlife and spending out-of-home, investors and developers are reexamining opportunities in this fragmented sector. Private equity interest is on the rise, targeting scalable concepts and roll-up strategies. This briefing provides an analytical overview of industry f

Power Plant Rapid growth in AI computing is driving unprecedented demand for hyperscale data center capacity, but this boom comes with significant strains on infrastructure and logistics. The United States is experiencing a data center construction boom fueled by surging demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. Hyperscale data centers – massive server campuses often built for tech giants or colocation providers – are being planned and built at a

Automation and robotics are reshaping U.S. manufacturing, boosting precision and efficiency across electronics, automotive, and food...

Worker navigating the brewery floor with equipment among stainless steel fermentation tanks. Introduction The US Beer Market Report and...

Fields adapted to soybeans cultivation The United States soybean farming industry sits at the nexus of global trade tensions and domestic agricultural trends. “US soybeans tariff impacts” have become a critical concern for farmers and policymakers alike, as international sanctions and duties reshape export markets and profitability. This in-depth analysis draws on MMCG’s internal research database and public data (USDA, Reuters, Federal Reserve, etc.) to examine the state of

Introduction: The USDA Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Program is a federal loan guarantee program designed to spur economic growth in rural areas by encouraging commercial lenders to finance rural businesses. For lenders, rural business owners, and real estate investors, the B&I program offers a strategic way to fund commercial real estate (CRE) projects in rural communities. Whether it's acquiring a business that includes real estate, constructing a new facility from the g

2328 Business Center Cir - Two Rivers Landing RV Resort Sevierville, TN 37876 - Great Smoky Mountains A controversial federal land...

A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a detailed investigation conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of hazardous...

Overview of the Agricultural Price Index The Agricultural Price Index (API) serves as a vital indicator of the prices received by farmers...

For decades, poultry has been on a steady ascent to the top of the American protein pyramid. This isn't just a story of deliciousness...

For the past decade, the price of red meat has been more exciting (or perhaps terrifying) than a Texas rodeo. It's been a wild ride...