Media Contact: Contact: Andrew Kauders (202) 720-4623
andrew.kauders@usda.gov
Public Contact: Claiborne Crain (202) 720-1255
ccrain@rus.usda.gov
USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $160 MILLION IN DLT FUNDS
WASHINGTON, May 13, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the 1999 Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and Grant Program. USDA will be awarding more than $160 million in DLT loans and grants this year to help rural areas acquire telecommunications technology for improving educational and medical services.
"New telecommunications technology is helping to save lives and improve life in rural America," Glickman said. "With distance learning technology, a student in a small rural school can now be an active participant in college-prep classes taught hundreds of miles away. Likewise, with telemedicine technology, a patient in a small rural health clinic can now be examined by a medical specialist at a distant hospital."
USDA has made the DLT program more flexible than ever, giving rural communities three different ways to apply for financing. First, $100 million is available for loans. Second, $50 million for loans and $5 million for grants is available for a new loan and grant combination program. Third, $7.5 million is available for a competitive grant program.
The deadline for the grant program is July 9, 1999. Applications for the loan and combination loan/grant programs must be submitted by Sept. 30, 1999.
“The DLT Program, an Administration initiative, is helping rural Americans get on the information superhighway,” said Jill Long Thompson, under secretary for USDA Rural Development. “Since the DLT program began in 1993, it has provided $68 million for 252 distance learning and telemedicine projects in 43 states and two U.S. territories. The funding has helped more than 1,000 schools and learning centers provide increased educational opportunities to rural students and residents. It has improved health care at more than 725 hospitals and rural health care clinics.”
Applications for loans and loan and grant combinations may now be accepted through USDA Rural Development state offices or through the USDA Rural Utilities Service national office in Washington, D.C., at (202) 720-1255. Those seeking a 100 percent grant should call the national office. Applications, guides for applying for funds and other detailed information are available on the Rural Utilities Service website at www.usda.gov/rus/dlt/dlml.htm .
Anyone unable to obtain information through the website can call the chief of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch at (202)720-0413, or write to USDA/RUS, DLT Branch, Mail Stop 1536, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.
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