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Rural Broadband
USDA RuralDeelopment:Bringing Broadbandto Rural America
 
USDA Rural Deelopment is committed to fulfilling the Presidentand Congress’ goal of bringing affordable broadband to all ruralAmericans. This is a high priority. Broadband is a transformatietechnology. It allows rural communities to dramatically enhance thequality of health care and education. It gies eery rural businessaccess to regional, national, and international markets. It reducesbarriers of time and distance, leels the playing field, and makesrural communities better places to lie, work, and raise a family.Rural America is dierse and so is the broadband program. USDARural Deelopment tailors solutions to the needs of indiidualcommunities. We hae financed technologies including fiber to thehome, DSL, wireless, broadband oer power lines, and hybrid fiber/coa systems. We are eager to work with startup companies as well asestablished proiders and stand ready to consider innoatie financingarrangements. Our mission is to increase economic opportunity andimproe the quality of life in rural America. Broadband is essentialto both of these goals, and we will not rest until the job is done. Thomas DorrUnder Secretary
Broadband is a High Priority
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As an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Deelopmentis focused on improing the quality of life for rural Americans. In essence,Rural Deelopment proides indiiduals, communities, and businesseswith the financial assistance needed to address the unique needs of ruralAmerica. It offers programs in housing, utilities, business deelopment,and community facilities/public safety. By improing the quality of life inrural America, it no longer is a sacrifice for the net generation to returnhome and raise their families in a safe and comforting enironment.Rural Deelopment proides increased economic opportunities so peoplewho choose to lie in small towns can compete on a global leel.PROGRAM HISTORYUSDA Rural Deelopment’s inolement with broadband began in 2000with a broadband pilot program, established with the help of a $100million loan program authoried by the President of the United States andCongress. The program proided loan funds to rural communities withup to 20,000 residents. During the first year, Rural Deelopment approed12 loans for the entire $100 million. In addition, an etra $80 million wasproided by the Agriculture Appropriations Act of 2002, and a total of 16 loans were approed during the second year of the pilot program.In total, the pilot program deliered 28 loans with $180 millionbased in 20 States. The pilot program was successful because itallowed the agency to quickly implement a program and get anidea of what the needs and interests were for broadband. The program has, and will continue, to facilitate deployment of broadbandin rural areas. Currently, 40 percent of the projects financed under thisprogram are successfully completed. Howeer, the pilot approach did
Rural Broadband
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