42 U.S.C. § 9811

No financial assistance shall be provided under this part unless the Secretary determines that— (1) any cooperative association receiving assistance has a minimum of fifteen active members, a majority of which are low-income rural persons; (2) adequate technical assistance is made available and committed to the programs being supported; (3) such financial assistance will materially further the purposes of this part; and (4) the applicant is fulfilling or will fulfill a need for services, supplies, or facilities which is otherwise not being met.