[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 10890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5732]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of application filing deadline.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Distance
Learning and Telemedicine Program application window for funding during
fiscal year (FY) 2002. For FY 2002, $27 million in grants and $300
million in loans will be made available for distance learning and
telemedicine projects serving rural America. The funding will be
provided in three categories: (1) $17 million will be available for
grants; (2) $200 million will be available for loans; and (3) $110
million will be available for combination grants and loans ($100
million in loans paired with $10 million in grants, i.e., $10 loan: $1
grant ratio).
DATES: Applications for grants must be postmarked no later than May 13,
2002. Applications for FY 2002 loans or combination loans and grants
may be submitted at anytime up to August 31, 2002, and will be
processed on a first-come, first serve basis.
ADDRESSES: Applications are to be submitted to the Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be marked
``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications
Program.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn J. Morgan, Branch Chief,
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1550, Room 2838, South
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1550.
Telephone: (202) 720-0413, FAX: (202) 720-1051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For FY 2002, $17 million in grants, a
combination of $10 million in grants paired with $100 million in loans,
and $200 million in loans will be made available for distance learning
and telemedicine projects. RUS encourages early submission of grant
applications to determine whether all required items specified in 7 CFR
1703.125 are clearly in form, identifiable, and complete. RUS will
examine, provide comment, and return applications that include items
that would disqualify them from further consideration for modification
if they are submitted by Friday, April 12, 2002. All applications for
grants must be postmarked no later than Monday, May 13, 2002, to be
eligible for FY 2002 grant funding. Each application will be reviewed
for completeness in accordance with 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F,
and G. Ineligible applications will be returned within 15 working days
of receipt.
Notice is hereby given that under 7 CFR 1703.124, 1703.133, and
1703.143, RUS has determined the maximum amount of an application for a
grant that will be considered for funding in FY 2002 as $500,000. The
maximum amount for a loan, generally, that will be considered for
funding in FY 2002 is $10 million. However, RUS may fund a project
greater than $10 million subject to the project's feasibility and the
availability of loan funds.
Applications for financial assistance must be submitted in
accordance with 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G, which
establish the policies and procedures for submitting an application for
financial assistance. These subparts and an application guide to assist
in the preparation of applications are available on the Internet at the
following address: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dltpublications.htm. Application guides may also be requested from RUS
by contacting the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch, USDA-RUS,
Phone: (202) 720-0413.
Dated: March 4, 2002.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-5732 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P