|
 The
U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 5 announced that it would create $325
million in loans and grants available to rural communities to strengthen distance
learning and telemedicine programs that serve rural America.
According
to the USDA, telemedicine technology makes it possible for doctors to examine
and direct the treatment of patients without being physically present. The distance
learning program finances equipment to expand educational resources to students
and educational institutions in isolated rural areas. Since the beginning of the
Bush Administration, over $100 million has been invested in local distance learning
and telemedicine programs, allowing 1,384 rural educational facilities to expand
their access to modern telecommunications technology, and 658 health care institutions
to develop technologies needed to enhance local medical care. Applications
for $15 million in grants must be submitted by April 30, 2004 and will be scored
and awarded on a competitive basis. Applications for the grant/loan combinations
and loans can be submitted through out the fiscal year and will be processed on
a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information on the DLT click
Fiscal
2004 Federal Register Notice of Solicitation of Applications You
may obtain application guides and materials for all DLT programs via the Internet
at the DLT Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm.
You may also request application guides and materials from Rural Utilities Service
by contacting the DLT Branch at (202) 720-0413. Submit
completed paper applications for grants, combination loan-grants or loans to:
Rural
Utilities Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave.,
SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550
Washington, DC 20250-1550 (Applications
should be marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications
Program.'') Submit
electronic grant or combination loan-grant applications at http://www.grants.gov
(Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on that Web site. DLT
Web site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for DLT programs.
Phone: 202-720-0413
Fax: 202-720-1051
E-mail: dltinfo@usda.gov
Main point of contact: Orren E. Cameron, III, Director, Advanced Services
Division,
Rural Utilities Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture If
you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst
Chil-Sook Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091
or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank
you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program.
Want
to Subscribe To  The New
Grange? For all subscription and circulation inquiries, Contact: Jonathan
Hill. | 
