Release No. 0099.01
Kevin Herglotz (202) 720-4623
Jim Brownlee (202) 720-2091
USDA AWARDS $15 MILLION IN RURAL EDUCATION AND MEDICINE GRANTS
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2001 Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman announced the approval of 42 Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant proposals benefiting 20 states and American Samoa for a total of $15 million. The DLT program provides financial resources to develop technologies needed to enhance learning opportunities and medical care for some of America’s most remote rural communities.
"These grants are important for helping rural areas become better equipped with the use of high speed, modern technology," stated Veneman. Using today’s technology not only opens new doors of information and opportunity, it insures the skills of rural school children will be developed in the area of today’s fast moving technology.
Included in the $15 million in grants are 24 educational projects totaling $9 million that will fund 294 educational facilities. More than $6 million is targeted to fund 18 projects that will involve over 77 health care institutions.
The grant funds will reach far into many rural communities throughout the country. For example in rural Maine, funds are expected to improve access to health care services for approximately 80,000 people; or along the Texas Gulf Coast, the Taft Independent School District will be able to provide students and adults with greater access to educational resources; or in California’s largest rural and agricultural region, 3,300 students and adults will gain greater access to educational resources such as core curriculum, advance placement courses, and vocational training.
In addition to the $15 million in grants announced today, USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for $200 million in loans and $110 million for DLT grant/loan combinations.
Further details, along with regulations and application guide, are available on the web at:
http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dltpublications.htm. The telephone contact is (202) 690-4493 and the fax number is (202) 720-1051. Applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 1550, Washington, D.C. 20250-1550. Indicate attention to the Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications Program.
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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