DES MOINES, IA — Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and John Mannion (NY-22) today introduced the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Act, bipartisan legislation to support small businesses and spur job creation across rural Iowa. The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Act of 2025 would strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) by eliminating outdated restrictions and ensuring rural entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to succeed.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our rural communities. They create jobs, drive economic growth, and invest in local communities,” said Rep. Nunn. “As costs rise and access to capital remains a top concern, we need to ensure rural entrepreneurs aren’t left behind. This bill updates the program to meet today’s challenges and gives our job creators the tools they need to thrive.”
Small businesses make up 99% of all Iowa businesses and employ nearly half of Iowa’s workforce. Yet for entrepreneurs in rural communities, outdated federal lending caps and usage restrictions have limited access to the support needed to launch or expand a business. The bipartisan Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Act addresses these challenges head-on.
“The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will directly support economic activity and job growth in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and in rural communities across America,” said Rep. Mannion. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I’m committed to advancing bipartisan solutions that improve access to capital for small businesses, especially those supporting agriculture and main street employers.”
To better support rural small businesses, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Act makes the following critical updates:
- Increases the maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $75,000 to better reflect current business startup and expansion costs
- Expands eligible use of funds to include up to 50% of construction, demolition, or real estate improvement costs—ensuring rural entrepreneurs can improve their physical spaces
- Extends program authorization through 2030, providing stability for lenders and entrepreneurs alike
The USDA’s RMAP supports small business development in rural communities by providing funding to local organizations that offer loans and technical assistance to entrepreneurs. This legislation modernizes the program to ensure it remains an effective tool for revitalizing small-town economies.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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