Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program:

Loans and grants for Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) are available through USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Rural schools, libraries, hospitals, health care facilities, consortiums or partnerships and other incorporated organizations that operate educational or medical facilities in rural areas and Indian Tribes are eligible to apply.

Loan and grant funds are to encourage, improve, and make affordable the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related technology for rural communities to improve access to educational and/or medical services.

The DLT demonstrates the ability of rural communities to utilize existing or proposed telecommunications systems to achieve sustainable cost-effective distance learning or medical link networks.

Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants:

Direct and Guaranteed loans may be made to develop water and wastewater systems, including solid waste disposal and storm drainage, in rural areas and to cities and towns with a population of 10,000 or less. Funds are available to public entities, such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, and Indian Tribes. In addition, funds may be made available to corporations operated on a not-for-profit basis.

Priority will be given to public entities, in areas with less than 5,500 people, to restore a deteriorating water supply, or to improve, enlarge, or modify a water facility or an inadequate waste facility. Also, preference will be given to requests which involve the merging of small facilities and those servicing low-income communities. Preference is also given to projects with leverage funds.

Applicants must be unable to obtain funds from other sources at reasonable rates and terms. The maximum term for all loans is 40 years; however, no repayment period will exceed state statutes or the useful life of the facility.

The purpose of the Water and Waste Disposal Grants is to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for users of the system. Grants may be made, in some instances, up to 75 percent of eligible project costs. Eligible applicants are the same as for loans.

Technical Assistance and Training Grants:

Technical Assistance and Training Grants are made to nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and/or training to associations located in rural areas and to cities and towns with a population of 10,000 or less.

Assistance may be provided to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems, to improve the operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities, and to assist associations in preparing applications for water and waste disposal facilities.

Solid Waste Management Grants:

Solid Waste Management Grants are made to public and private nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance and/or training to associations located in rural areas and to cities and towns with a population of 10,000 or less to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources, and to improve planning and management of solid waste facilities. Assistance may be provided to enhance operator skills in operations and maintenance, identify threats to water resources, and reduce the solid waste stream.