Department Also Invests $3.1 Million to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for Rural Ohio Residents
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country – the middle class.
“For too long, the ‘digital divide’ has left too many people living in rural communities behind: unable to compete in the global economy and unable to access the services and resources that all Americans need,” Vilsack said. “As we build back better than we were before, the actions I am announcing today will go a long way toward ensuring that people who live or work in rural areas are able to tap into the benefits of broadband, including access to specialized health care, educational opportunities and the global marketplace. Rural people, businesses and communities must have affordable, reliable, high-speed internet so they can fully participate in modern society and the modern economy.”
Background: ReConnect Program
Secretary Vilsack spoke about USDA’s commitment to helping rural Americans get improved access to broadband and health care during a visit to the newly renovated emergency department at Hammond Henry Hospital. The project was financed in part by a USDA loan.
He announced that on November 24 USDA will begin accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. USDA is making the funding available through the ReConnect Program.
To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area without broadband service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload), and commit to building facilities capable of providing broadband service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area. In making funding decisions, USDA will prioritize projects that will serve low-density rural areas with locations lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload). In making funding decisions, the USDA will also consider, among other things, the economic needs of the community to be served; the extent to which a provider will offer affordable service options; a project’s commitment to strong labor standards; and whether a project is serving tribal lands or is submitted by a local government, Tribal Government, non-profit or cooperative.
USDA has simplified the application process and has expanded the program significantly. For example, ReConnect will now offer 100 percent grants for certain projects on tribal lands and in socially vulnerable communities.
The Department plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants with a 25 percent matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities.
Background: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Vilsack also announced today a $50 million investment in 105 rural distance learning and telemedicine projects in 37 states and Puerto Rico. These awards are being funded through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program. This program helps fund distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable.
In Ohio, USDA’s distance learning and telemedicine investment includes a $887,907 grant to Cardington-Lincoln Local School District. These funds enable students to connect through distance learning with courses at Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College
“Students will gain real life learning experience instructions from staff and doctors at Morrow County Hospital,” said Beth Huhn, Acting State Director. “Namely, this project will provide the means for the school district to offer adult workforce development courses in off-hours for over 2,000 Morrow County residents.”
USDA is also providing $428,091 to Kent State University. Funds will be used by Kent State Geauga and Kent State Ashtabula to install advanced video conferencing equipment at four hub sites and eleven end-user sites spread throughout Geauga, Ashtabula and Summit Counties in Ohio.
Distance learning education will be offered in the form of dual credit courses for 7th-12th graders, credit-bearing courses and degree programs for adult learners, workforce training programs for area employees, community health outreach initiatives for county residents, and experiential learning opportunities for Kent State allied health students. The project will benefit an estimated 73,000 rural residents.
In addition, New London Local School District is receiving a $945,966 grant to provide behavioral health resources, including substance use services and supports for students and families in the district through a partnership with the Huron County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Additionally, through technology, the School District will seek to further its Substance Use – Community Youth Resiliency Project Work. This programming is a partnership with county and local organizations providing a wide variety of proven, successful enrichment programs that are offered to teens via the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio (BGCNEO). The total population that will utilize the technology will be approximately 1,200 students in the school district.
Finally, East Guernsey Local School District is receiving a $891,208 grant to combat Opioid and other Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Services via education and telehealth services. The primary purpose of the project is to help the community through education services that strengthen the knowledge around the effects of substance abuse, mental health counseling, and accessing programs around the world.
This project will also provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education within schools and telehealth solutions, so nurses can connect to doctors and professionals at partner locations. The project is projected to serve over 2,000 rural residents, both students and other members of the community
For additional information on the upcoming ReConnect Program funding opportunity, see the Oct. 22, 2021, Federal Register. Once the application window opens, applications must be submitted through USDA Rural Development’s online application system on the ReConnect webpage. All required materials for completing an application are included in the online system.
To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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