[Federal Register: March 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 47)]

[Notices]               

[Page 10890]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11mr02-45]                         



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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.



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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