[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 49 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14458-14459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05199]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Broadband Pilot (ReConnect) Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice; amendment to Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and 
solicitation of applications for the second round of the ReConnect 
Program.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published a Funding 
Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications in the 
Federal Register on Thursday, December 12, 2019, announcing its general 
policy and application procedures for funding under the broadband pilot 
program (ReConnect) established pursuant to the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018 (which became law on February 15, 2019) which 
provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate 
broadband deployment in rural areas. The purpose of this notice is to 
inform the public of an extension of the application window until 
midnight, based on the time zone the applicant is located in, on March 
31, 2020.

DATES: Actions described in this notice take effect March 12, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general inquiries regarding the 
ReConnect Program, contact Laurel Leverrier, Acting Assistant 
Administrator Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), email: [email protected],

[[Page 14459]]

telephone (202) 720-9554. For inquiries regarding eligible service 
areas, please contact ReConnect Program Staff at https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 12, 2019, RUS published a Funding Opportunity 
Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications in the Federal 
Register at 84 FR 67913. The FOA provided the policy and application 
procedures for the ReConnect Program. In support of the ReConnect 
Program, the agency identified the application closing date and funding 
amount for each category.
    The action taken in this notice will extend the application window 
until midnight, based on the time zone the applicant is located in, on 
March 31, 2020. This action is being taken by the Agency to ensure a 
successful round of funding under the ReConnect Program.

Chad Rupe,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05199 Filed 3-10-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P