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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  Rural Utilities Service (RUS)

The Rural Utilities Service (www.rurdev.usda.gov/rus/index.html) is a Rural Development Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. RUS helps rural America finance electric, telecommunications, and water and waste water projects, and makes loans and grants for rural distance learning and telemedicine projects. They are also a policy and planning rural advocacy agency. When you visit the websites of this government agency or organization, you will be leaving the Federal Communications Commission's website. If you have questions concerning the information contained on these sites, please contact the specific government agency.

Telecommunications Program
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm
The Telecommunications Program creates public - private partnerships to finance the construction of the telecommunications infrastructure in rural America. This program is also a vital source of technical assistance for rural telecommunication systems.

Telecommunications Program Initiatives
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/initiatives/index_initiatives.htm
The Telecommunications Program continues to implement new program initiatives and to streamline operations to be more responsive to the needs of its borrowers. Example of these initiatives include the Local Dial-Up Internet Grant Program Application Guide and the Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program.

Rural Telephone Bank
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/rtb/index_rtb.htm
The Rural Telephone Bank was established as a source of supplemental financing for telecommunications companies and cooperatives eligible to borrow under the RUS telephone loan program. This website also links to frequently asked questions about the loan program.

List of Materials
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/materials/index_listomat.htm
At this website you will find the Telecommunications Program approved list of materials that can be purchased by its program loan borrowers. The list includes materials needed for setting up telecommunications systems, such as wire and cable, housings, splice cases, and transmission and central office equipment.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant and Loan Program (DLT)
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant and Loan Program is designed to specifically meet the educational and health care needs of rural America by making telecommunications affordable, which will encourage the use of computer networks and related technology to improve access to educational and medical services.

RUS Publications
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/publications/publications.htm
This website provides easy access to RUS proposed rules and bulletins to help you understand current and developing program policies and procedures.