ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 11, Number 55
July 8, 2002

In This Issue: 

Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service offers Broadband 
Pilot Grant Program


SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces a pilot grant 
program for the provision of broadband transmission service in 
rural America. For fiscal year 2002, $20 million in grants will be 
made available through a national competition to applicants 
proposing to provide broadband transmission service on a 
``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The ``community-
oriented connectivity'' approach will target rural, economically-
challenged communities and offer 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: Applications for grants will be accepted as of the date of 
this notice through November 5, 2002. All applications must be 
delivered to RUS or bear postmark no later than November 5, 2002. 
Comments regarding the information collection requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act must be received on or before 
September 6, 2002, to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant 
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities 
Service, STOP 1590, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1590, Telephone (202) 720-9554, Facsimile (202) 720-0810.



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