Rural Development Initiative Fund (RDIF)

The goal of AIDEA’s RDIF Loan Program is to provide long-term private sector employment by financing business start-up and expansion in communities with a population of 5,000 or less and not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks, or 2,000 or less connected by road or rail.

RDIF loans may be made for working capital, equipment, construction or other commercial purposes, and must result in the creation of new jobs or the retention of existing jobs in the eligible community. The maximum loan amount is $150,000 to a person or up to $300,000 to two or more people for a maximum term of 25 years, and a rate of 1 percent below prime.