The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for loans to provide and expand broadband service in rural areas, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced Saturday.
“Modernizing the nation’s infrastructure to deliver high-speed internet service is essential in today’s global marketplace,” Hazlett said. “Broadband helps create jobs. It also helps rural areas offer the programs and services that strengthen economies and encourage growth. These loans will help maintain America’s economic competitiveness and connect rural communities to more opportunities.”
USDA plans to make at least $60 million in loans available through Saturday's announcement, according to a press release by the USDA. Loans can range from $100,000 to $20 million. They will be provided through USDA Rural Development’s Telecommunications Program, which funds infrastructure and equipment to deliver broadband, distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. Projects receiving funding must offer broadband service at a minimum bandwidth of 25 megabits downstream and three megabits upstream.
Expanding broadband service is a key component of the President’s plans to improve rural infrastructure. Last month, Secretary Perdue announced $34.6 million in loans that will add nearly 1,000 miles of fiber for broadband service in rural parts of Illinois, Iowa and Texas.
The deadline for applications is September 30. For details on how to apply, see page 34473 of the July 25 Federal Register.
USDA is offering pre-application assistance to review draft applications, provide detailed comments, and identify whether the draft application meets eligibility requirements for funding. For assistance in Nebraska, please contact General Field Representative Roger Meeks at 402-416-4936 or Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!. Application assistance will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through September 22.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): KHGI
Quelle/Source: Nebraska.tv, 06.08.2017
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