NEWS RELEASE Contact: Alisa Harrison, (202) 720-4623

 

USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $327 MILLION IN DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE PROJECTS

 

Washington, April 1, 2002 -- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the availability of $27 million in grants and $300 million in loans for distance learning and telemedicine projects serving rural America. The deadline for applications is May 13, 2002, for grants, and August 31, 2002, for loans or combination loans and grants.

 

"These loans will help provide important resources to strengthen distance learning and telemedicine programs for rural America," said Veneman. "Innovation and technology are helping bring new resources to rural communities and can improve educational opportunities and health care."

The DLT program, administered by Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, finances end user equipment to expand the resources available to students and opportunities for improved medical service in isolated rural areas. Distance learning enables students in such areas to participate in enriched classes such as virtual field trips, college preparatory and foreign language classes.

Marlene Elliott Delaware/Maryland State Director for USDA Rural Development said, "New technology such as distance learning and telemedicine is helping to bridge the digital divide and overcome the barriers of rural isolation."

Telemedicine technology makes it possible for doctors to examine and direct the treatment of patients without being physically present. Since the program’s beginning in 1993, USDA has invested more than $125 million in more than 400 DLT projects, bringing better quality health care and education to thousands of rural Americans.

(MORE)

 

 

Information on the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program for 2002 is available at http://www.usda.gov under the RUS agency section referencing distance learning. Included at this site are the Application Guide and the Federal Register Notice.

Applications must be submitted before the deadline to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Loan and loan-grant combination applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development can be obtained by contacting the Rural Development State Office at (302) 697-4300 or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

###

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and

Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to:

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410