[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 149 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 43199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15108]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 149 / Friday, August 3, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 43199]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1739

RIN 0572-AC09


Community Connect Broadband Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the United 
States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program, 
hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the Agency, is 
issuing proposed regulations to amend its Community-Oriented 
Connectivity Broadband Grant Program (Community Connect Broadband Grant 
Program). The Agency has determined that expanding the resource 
materials used to determine community eligibility for the program will 
result in a larger number of eligible communities. In addition, Rural 
Development has changed the test for economic hardship, allowing the 
applicant community's median household income to be compared to that of 
its state, which is also expected to increase the number of eligible 
applicants. Lastly, the Agency is proposing to amend its regulations to 
specify operating expenses which are approved for grant funding. This 
proposed rule is not applicable to Community Connect grant applications 
filed for funding during fiscal year 2007.
    In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register, the 
Agency is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior 
proposal because the Agency views this as a non-controversial action 
and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are 
received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will 
be taken on this proposed rule and the action will become effective at 
the time specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives 
adverse comments, a timely document will be published in the Federal 
Register and all public comments received will be addressed in a 
subsequent final rule on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by the Agency or 
carry a postmark or equivalent no later than September 4, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
RUS-07-Telecom-0008 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing 
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close 
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' 
link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Michele Brooks, Acting Deputy Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, 
Room 5159, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please 
state that your comment refers to Docket No. RUS-07-Telecom-0008.
    Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development 
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, Broadband 
Division, USDA Rural Development Utilities Program, STOP 1599, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1599, Telephone (202) 
690-4673, Facsimile (202) 690-4389. E-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For applicable supplementary information on 
this action, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided in the direct 
final rule located in the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal 
Register.

    Dated: July 19, 2007.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15108 Filed 8-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P