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USDA Rural Development to Host Application Workshops in Richmond, Southwest Virginia

Name
Eric Peters
City
Richmond
Release Date

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Virginia today announced it will host workshops in Richmond and Tazewell to help rural Virginians better access education, training, health care resources and broadband connectivity.

The workshops will introduce participants to the application process for the USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) and Community Connect (CC) programs.

USDA Rural Development DLT grants provide financial assistance to encourage and improve telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies that students, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents can use. The grants, which are awarded through a competitive process, may be used to fund telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment and related advanced technologies that extend educational and medical applications into rural areas. Grants are intended to benefit end-users in rural areas, which are often not in the same location as the source of the educational or health care service. Applications are due in mid-March.

The Community Connect program helps fund broadband deployment in rural communities where it is not yet economically viable for private sector providers to deliver service.  Eligible applicants include state and local governments, non-profits and for-profit corporations.  While this program has not yet been announced for fiscal year 2016, USDA personnel will discuss the application process, eligibility and participant questions.

Schedule

Monday, Feb. 8  

USDA Rural Development Virginia state office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA, 23229

  • 10 a.m. – noon - Distance Learning and Telemedicine

  • 1 – 3 p.m. – Community Connect

 

Tuesday, Feb. 9

King Community Center, Southwest Virginia Community College, 724 Community College Road, Cedar Bluff, VA, 24609

  • 10 a.m. – noon - Distance Learning and Telemedicine

  • 1 – 3 p.m. – Community Connect