Federal Program Has $2B for Broadband/Telecom Development in Rural Areas

(Phoenix, Arizona) USDA Rural Development has announced that more than $2 billion in funding is available to support broadband and telecommunications development in rural communities. In order to guide potential applicants on how to access the funding in Arizona, Rural Development, the Arizona Rural Health Office at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, and the Arizona Telemedicine Program are sponsoring a Virtual Roundtable to discuss broadband low interest loan programs. The workshop is scheduled for July 11, 2005, from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. at videoconference sites across Arizona. Harry Hutson, General Field Representative for USDA Rural Development's utilities programs, will conduct the free training. Rural Development's State Director Eddie Browning will give an overview of the agency's housing, business and community programs. Likely video conference sites will include Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Springerville, Payson, Winslow, Show Low and Globe. Those wishing to attend can get information on the nearest videoconference site by calling Leila Barraza at 520-626-7946, ext. 246. On-site registration will be available, but pre-registration is encouraged. To register, send name, organization, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address by fax to Jodi Torres at 602-280-8770 (F) or by mail to Jodi Torres, USDA Rural Development, 230 N. First Ave., Ste. 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003. For additional information, contact Jodi at 602-280-8706. "Besides those parties interested in our direct loan program, financial institutions wishing to learn how to participate in the Loan Guarantee program, investors, and service providers interested in broadband opportunities in rural Arizona and other interested parties are encouraged to attend," said Hutson. According to Browning, additional information on Rural Development's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants can be obtained at www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm. USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. For more information on Rural Development programs, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/az.