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loans to help mitigate physical losses and increased operating expenses, but little money had been <br />appropriated. <br />Lastly, Bryan Daniels, USDA's Texas Director for Rural Development, RUS, described <br />programs available to help rural utilities, which were otherwise unable to obtain commercial <br />financing at reasonable rates, with basic water and wastewater needs through loans and grants. <br />Despite maintaining a national portfolio of $16B in loans, there was still a 3 -year waiting list. This <br />program covers unincorporated areas and towns of less than 10,000 and availability was limited. <br />Nationwide, 60% of the money is in loans, while 40% is grants. He also described the needs of <br />"colonias" along the border. RUS also provided funds for technical assistance for small rural <br />systems through a "circuit rider" partnership with the National Rural Water Association designed <br />to help maintain water systems. <br />32 <br />