WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2004 –-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the approval of Rural Development broadband loans totaling $1.198 million for the Radcliffe Telephone Company in Radcliffe, Iowa. The funds will allow for the expansion of broadband access to high-speed Internet as part of the Bush Administration's effort to expand universal access to broadband technology by the year 2007.
"The Bush Administration is making great strides to improve broadband access in rural communities," said Veneman. "We are committed to ensuring that technology upgrades in rural areas create the opportunity for rural residents to be competitive in a global information era."
The loans will be used to provide for new and improved service to existing subscribers, as well as connect five new subscribers and deploy 12 new miles of fiber and copper cable.
Funding will be contingent upon meeting the conditions of the loan agreements. USDA provides a number of other important tools to advance broadband service in rural America, including the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program which provides advance technologies for educational and health care needs.
Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, over $2 billion in telecommunication funding has provided over one million rural homes and businesses with access to high speed broadband connections. To learn more about available funding through USDA's broadband program, visit http://www.usda.gov/ or contact USDA Rural Development broadband staff at (202) 720-9554.
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 http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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