Reviving Small Towns with Jordan Blanchard, Co-founder of X-Caliber Rural Capital

In this episode of Distressed to Success, Brian speaks with Jordan Blanchard, co-founder of Excalibur Rural Capital. Jordan, a 35-year banking veteran who spent the last decade focused on USDA Rural Development lending, walks us through how his firm partners with rural commercial developers and municipalities to bring affordable, long-term financing to communities of 50,000 people or fewer. 

We learn how the USDA’s one-RD loan programs work, from the online mapping tool that determines eligibility, to collateral requirements and loan advance rates, and why ground-up construction and public infrastructure projects, like water tanks and fire trucks, often benefit most from these flexible, fully amortizing structures. 

Brian and Jordan highlight real-world case studies, a metals recycling facility in Texas, a sand logistics hub in South Dakota, hotels and rural hospitals, even a horse-feed manufacturer in Florida, showing how Excalibur Rural Capital blends USDA guarantees with PACE loans, New Markets Tax Credits or HUD take-outs to fill financing gaps. 

With terms up to 30 years for for-profit ventures (40 years for municipalities) and spreads near 250-350 basis points over U.S. Treasuries, these deals illustrate a powerful tool for community revitalization. Jordan also shares how Excalibur’s sister affiliates handle multifamily and other “government-adjacent” funding programs, creating one-stop capital solutions for developers. 

Before signing off, Jordan offers candid advice he wishes he’d followed earlier: get up before dawn, build a solid workout routine, and embrace collaboration over competition, even with peers. His story underscores that it’s never too late to become an entrepreneur, especially when your mission is to transform distressed areas into thriving, sustainable communities.

Timestamps

1. Jordan’s background in government‐guaranteed lending and introduction to USDA 1RD programs – 01:06 
2. Formation of Excalibur Rural Capital and partnership with Excalibur Capital – 02:07 
3. USDA 1RD eligibility criteria and defining “rural” census tracts – 04:27 
4. Types of projects financed (tourism developments, municipal infrastructure, fire districts, etc.) – 06:42 
5. Loan terms, rates, and structure of USDA 1RD financing (amortization, interest rates, fees) – 11:26

Get in Touch with Jordan!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/x-caliberruralcapital/

Website: xrcusda.com

Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/x-caliber-rural-capital/

Get in touch with Brian! 

Last Best Partners' Website: https://www.lastbestpartners.com/

Brian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-seidensticker-90117021

Podcast LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/distressed-to-success-podcast

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Books Mentioned: 

Building a Second Brain: https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/book

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: https://www.amazon.com/Almanack-Naval-Ravikant-Wealth-Happiness/dp/1544514212

The Four Agreements: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319