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USDA Provides Funding to Increase Access to Educational and Health Care Services in Rural Areas
Amite and Marion County Schools Awarded Grant
JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 19, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is awarding grants for broadband projects to increase access to job training, educational and health care services in rural areas in 28 states.
“Broadband technology helps provide career opportunities and deliver critical medical services to rural residents,” Hazlett said. “It allows rural hospitals to better diagnose and treat patients. It helps treat people who are struggling with opioid and other substance use disorders. It also helps bring jobs to rural areas.”
USDA is awarding 72 grants totaling $23.6 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. This program funds equipment that uses broadband to help rural communities connect to advanced learning and specialized medical services.
In Mississippi, one such recipient is the Amite and Marion County Schools’ Distance Learning Project. This project will connect local schools with state universities in order to provide additional access to educational opportunities and mental health counseling services, as well as produce savings by reducing transportation costs and increasing efficiency by connecting faculty and staff electronically to facilitate training exercises and strategy meetings.
“Digital learning applications give students access to educational resources and instruction that might otherwise be unavailable in their area,” said John Rounsaville, State Director for USDA Rural Development in Mississippi. “We have a great need in our state to utilize technologies to advance education. The awards announced today will expose Mississippi students to a new level of innovative educational opportunities.”
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.