| WASHINGTON July 28,
2004—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced
that $9 million in grant funds were available for connecting essential
community facilities in rural towns and communities where no broadband
service exists.
“This program helps open the door to today’s high speed,
high technology in the most isolated of rural communities,” said
Veneman. “In today’s world it is critical to connect basic
community services to high speed telecommunications.”
The Broadband Community Connect program is in its third year, having
already invested $21.3 million in grant funds to connect essential services
of police and fire protection, local government, hospitals, libraries
and schools to broadband service. To date, this program has connected
74 communities to high-speed telecommunications. In return, the communities
will make at least 10 computers available to the public with set hours
and instruction available for use on the internet.
“USDA plays a vital role in President Bush’s Broadband
initiative,” said Veneman. “President Bush has challenged
us to ‘have universal affordable access available for broadband
technology by the year 2007,’ and USDA is doing its share in reaching
the most remote communities.”
The notice of funding availability appears in the July 28 Federal
Register. All applications must be received by September 13. Submit electronic
grant application at http://www.grants.gov
and follow the instructions found on the web site. Completed paper applications
are to be submitted to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5151, STOP 1590, Washington,
DC 20250-1590. Applications should be marked “Attention: Assistant
Administrator, Telecommunications Program,” and postmarked by midnight,
September 13.
USDA Rural Development’s mission
is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic
opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture
capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance
to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and
critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information
on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office
or by visiting USDA’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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