1 / 20

Rural Utilities Service

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program empowers rural America by addressing educational and healthcare needs through access to innovative technology. The program provides financial assistance to eligible entities operating educational or medical facilities, ensuring modern telecommunications solutions become affordable and accessible. Collaboration and resource leveraging are key to success. With various funding options including grants, loans, and competitive awards, DLT seeks to promote sustainable and impactful projects that enhance the quality of life for rural residents.

virginia-boyer
Télécharger la présentation

Rural Utilities Service

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine Rural Development Rural Utilities Service 1400 Independence Ave. Washington, DC 20250 www.rurdev.usda.gov/rus/ Harry M. Hutson GFR Telecommunications

  2. 2002 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

  3. DLT Goals • Meet the Educational and Health Care requirements of rural America • Provide financial assistance to enhance learning and health care opportunities for rural residents • Make modern telecommunications technology affordable and available to rural residents

  4. DLT Policies • RUS does not mandate technology • “Technology is a means, not an end” • Use of existing infrastructure when appropriate • Non-duplication of facilities providing adequate service • Collaboration is the key to success • Intended to work “hand-in-hand” with other Programs (E-rate, NTIA, Dept. of Ed., etc.)

  5. Successful Concepts for DLT projects • Dynamic technology versus passive technology • Networking characteristics versus single entities • Cost effectiveness of technology • Solutions for a specific need • Utilization and long-term sustainability

  6. Eligibility for Funding • All entities must operate an educational or medical facility • Public or private, profit or non-profit • Consortium or partnership • Indian Tribe • Project must meet minimum Rurality Requirement • Project must be sustainable for at least 10 years • RUS-financed Telcos are eligible for Loans Only • IHS funded (medical) end user sites operated by the IHS are Ineligible.

  7. DLT Financial Assistance • 100% Grant • Combination Loan and Grant • 100% Loan

  8. 100% Grant Financing • Competitive • $500,000 Maximum • $26.0 million available FY 2002 (Tentative) • 15% Matching Fund requirement • Targets end-user equipment • Submittal Oct. ??, 2001 • Deadline March ??, 2002

  9. Eligible Grant Purposes • Eligible Equipment • Instructional Programming • Technical Assistance and Instruction • limited to 10% of the Grant

  10. Minimum Matching Fund Requirement • 15% of eligible total project costs • Cash or in-kind items for eligible Grant purposes • Federal Funds excluded in this calculation

  11. Criteria for Scoring Grant Applications • The need for services and benefits derived from services • The comparative rurality of the project service area • The economic need of the applicant’s service area as estimated by the NSLP or other supplemental objective criteria

  12. Criteria for Scoring Grant Applications (cont.) • The ability of the applicant to leverage resources • Innovativeness of the project • The cost effectiveness of the system • Project participation in EZ/EC (Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Communities) and Champion Communities.

  13. Combination and 100% Loan Financing • First come, first served • Combos - $77 million (2001 Levels) • $7 million Grant • $70 million Loan • 100% Loans • $300 million • $10 million Maximum for Loans

  14. Combination and 100% Loan Financing Schedule • Loan purposes expand on Grant purposes • No Matching Fund requirement • Local filing and processing with RD State Offices in addition to RUS Applications can be submitted ANYTIME!

  15. Eligible Combination Purposes • All Grant Purposes • Medical or Educational equipment and facilities • Links between teachers and students or medical professionals located in the same facility • Site development and alteration of buildings • Land, buildings, or building construction

  16. Eligible Loan Purposes • All Combo Purposes • Acquiring telecommunications transmission facilities • Eligible recurring or operating expenses incurred during the first 2 years of operation • Excludes salaries and administrative expenses • All costs needed to provide distance learning broadcasting to rural areas

  17. Loan Characteristics • Up to 10 years based on the security provided and economic life of the facilities financed • Interest Rates based on Cost of Money to the US Treasury • Yields on Treasury Securities at Constant Maturity • http://www.bog.frb.fed.us/releases/H15/update

  18. APPLICATION SUBMITTAL • Grants (must be submitted to RUS Wash DC) • Consultation (General help only) • Conformance with the State Strategic Plan • Combination and Loans (can also be submitted to RUS-GFR or RD State Director) • Guidance and Submission

  19. RUS LOCAL Contact - Las Vegas, NV. • Harry M. Hutson, GFR • 702-655-5155 • hhutson@rus.usda.gov

  20. AWARDED DLT GRANTS • Kayenta Unified School No. 27 • AZ Borad of Regents,(Whiteriver) • AZ Board of Regents (Hopi Reservation) • Tohono O’odham Nation • Tohono O’odham Community College

More Related