Investment to Benefit 113 Thousand People in Rural Areas
RALEIGH, N.C., 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 thousands of rural North Carolinians.
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.”
Background: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Vilsack announced a $3.2 million investment in five rural distance learning and telemedicine projects across North Carolina. These awards are being funded through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program.
“We are experiencing a complete revolution in the way we deliver education and healthcare,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight. “The ability for Rural Americans to receive quality schooling and care is a priority of the Biden-Harris administration. This $3.2 million investment in DLT grants will help North Carolinians, no matter their location, have access to excellent services.”
• Carteret Community College will utilize a $500 thousand grant to enhance their distance learning program to expand course offerings to the geographically isolated communities of the North Carolina coast. The grant will facilitate interactive synchronous continuing education courses and certifications, Peer Recovery Support Specialist training, substance abuse certificate programs, suicide prevention and opioid awareness training, and increased professional development opportunities This project will directly impact the lives of every resident in Carteret County, which is approximately 70 thousand people.
• Columbus County School will utilize a $600 thousand grant will assist the creation of a network between county public schools, Southeastern Community College, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, and North Carolina Museum of Natural Science at Whiteville. Students and staff will also benefit from the project via the Career Technical Education Program, school-based telemedicine services from contracted providers including opiate abuse prevention programming. This project will benefit 5 thousand rural students in the county.
• Johnston County Public Schools will utilize a $900 thousand grant for technology and telecommunications equipment to implement professional development network assisting educators respond more effectively to students and families in crisis, as well as provide a means for students to attend virtual support, counseling, and/or therapy sessions. The project will benefit an estimated 14 thousand students in the Johnston County and Tyrell County public Schools.
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety will utilize a $900 thousand grant to bring telehealth technology to 25 rural correctional institutions in 19 counties. This project will increase access and equity in healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health care. The health of approximately 15 thousand incarcerated persons will be positively impacted by this project.
• Pitt County Public Schools will utilize a $166 thousand grant to establish hub-to-site, site-to-site, and site-to-student connections for delivery of core subjects in 11 county schools. The project will benefit an estimated 9 thousand students in the Pitt County public schools.
Vilsack also announced today a $50 million investment in 105 rural distance learning and telemedicine projects in 37 states and Puerto Rico. These awards are being funded through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program. This program 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.
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.
Background: ReConnect Program
Secretary Vilsack spoke about USDA’s commitment to helping rural Americans get improved access to broadband and health care during a visit to the newly renovated emergency department at Hammond Henry Hospital. The project was financed in part by a USDA loan.
He 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 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 to 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.
To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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