Department Also Invests $2,671,993 to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for 8,500 People in Rural Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country – the middle class.
“For too long, the ‘digital divide’ has left too many people living in rural communities behind: unable to compete in the global economy and unable to access the services and resources that all Americans need,” Vilsack said. “As we build back better than we were before, the actions I am announcing today will go a long way toward ensuring that people who live or work in rural areas are able to tap into the benefits of broadband, including access to specialized health care, educational opportunities and the global marketplace. Rural people, businesses and communities must have affordable, reliable, high-speed internet so they can fully participate in modern society and the modern economy.”
Secretary Vilsack announced that on November 24 USDA will begin accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. USDA is making the funding available through the ReConnect Program.
To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must an applicant must serve an area without broadband service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload) and commit to building facilities capable of providing broadband service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area. In making funding decisions USDA will prioritize projects that will serve low density rural areas with locations lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload). In making funding decisions, the USDA will also consider, among other things, the economic needs of the community to be served; the extent which a provider will offer affordable service options; a project’s commitment to strong labor standards; and whether a project is serving tribal lands or is submitted by a local government, Tribal Government, non-profit or cooperative.
USDA has simplified the application process and has expanded the program significantly. For example, ReConnect will now offer 100 percent grants for certain projects on tribal lands and in socially vulnerable communities.
The Department plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants with a 25 percent matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities.
Vilsack also announced today a $50 million investment in 105 rural distance learning and telemedicine projects in 37 states and Puerto Rico. The funding is through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program which helps fund distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable.
USDA’s distance learning and telemedicine investments in Alaska include:
- $999,500 for North Slope Borough School District in northern Alaska to increase access to virtual instruction. New videoconferencing technology for trainings, in-services, and two learning labs at rural sites will support classes and activities. More than 2,000 residents are expected to benefit from this project.
- $785,000 for Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel, Alaska, to install new video conferencing equipment to support 4,000 K-12 students, teachers, staff and family members with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, as well as student activities, such as the Spelling Bee and Battle of the Books. Moreover, the project also will allow for the continuous teaching of tribal languages, traditions and customs; the use of the equipment for Parent Advisory Committees, local School Board meetings and trainings; and will provide teachers with the necessary resources to attend in-service webinars on specific subjects and provide necessary training
- $500,000 for Lake and Peninsula School District to provide distance learning opportunities to 1,550 students. The school district is located on the Alaska Peninsula and comprises an area, in square miles, roughly the size of the state of West Virginia. It contains three National Parks; two National Wildlife Refuges; and numerous designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. None of its school sites can be reached by roadway.
- $320,000 for Kushunamiut School District in Chevak, Alaska, an extremely remote village of 938 people, most of whom are Cup'ik Alaska Natives. The grant will connect the students, faculty, and staff of Chevak School with each other, their classrooms, and outside resources.
For additional information on the upcoming ReConnect Program funding opportunity, see the Oct. 22, 2021, Federal Register. Once the application window opens, applications must be submitted through USDA Rural Development’s online application system on the ReConnect webpage. All required materials for completing an application are included in the online system.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ak.
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