[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 42680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18191]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Broadband Pilot Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is announcing the process by 
which Fiscal Year 2003 funding of its pilot grant program for the 
provision of broadband transmission service in rural America will be 
made available. For Fiscal Year 2003, $10 million in grants will be 
made available through the further funding of the national competition 
announced on July 8, 2002, to provide broadband transmission service on 
a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The community-oriented 
connectivity approach targets rural, economically-challenged 
communities and offers a means for the deployment of broadband 
transmission services to rural schools, libraries, education centers, 
health care providers, law enforcement agencies, public safety 
organizations as well as residents and businesses. This all-
encompassing connectivity concept will give small, rural communities a 
chance to benefit from the advanced technologies that are necessary to 
foster economic growth, provide quality education and health care 
opportunities, and increase and enhance public safety efforts.

DATES: Successful grant applicants will be notified no later than 
September 15, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant 
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 
1590, Room 4056, Washington, DC 20250-1590. Telephone number (202) 720-
9554, facsimile (202) 720-0810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 8, 2002, RUS published a Notice of 
Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register at 67 FR 45079 
announcing its ``community-oriented connectivity'' pilot grant program 
for the provision of broadband transmission service in rural America. 
Twenty million dollars in grant authority was made available to deploy 
broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income communities 
on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The ``community-
oriented connectivity'' concept integrates the deployment of broadband 
infrastructure with the practical, everyday uses and applications of 
the facilities. This broadband access is intended to promote economic 
development and provide enhanced educational and health care 
opportunities. RUS provided financial assistance to eligible entities 
that were proposing to deploy broadband transmission service in rural 
communities where such service did not currently exist and who would 
connect the critical community facilities including the local schools, 
libraries, hospitals, police, fire, and rescue services and who would 
operate a community center that provides free and open access to 
residents.
    In response to this NOFA, RUS received more than 300 applications 
totaling more than $185 million in funding requests. As part of a 
national competition, RUS reviewed the applications for eligibility and 
scored the applications according to the rurality of the project, the 
economic need of the project service area, and the community benefits 
to be derived from the proposed service. On May 16, 2003, Secretary of 
Agriculture, Ann Veneman, announced the 40 highest scoring grants 
totaling $20,184,642. This announcement fully utilized RUS' 2002 
appropriation.
    Due to the overwhelming response to the July 8, 2002, NOFA, RUS has 
eligible applications on hand totaling more than the $10 million 
appropriation received for Fiscal Year 2003. To eliminate the need for 
fully eligible applicants to resubmit applications for Fiscal Year 
2003, RUS will utilize its 2003 appropriation by funding eligible 
projects submitted in accordance with the July 8, 2002 NOFA. 
Announcement of the 2003 appropriation grant awards will be made no 
later than September 15, 2003.

    Dated: June 25, 2003.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18191 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
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