Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program, which provides increased access to education, training, and health care resources in rural areas.
“This program provides people who live and work in rural areas with better access to a variety of educational and health care services,” Vilsack said. "For example, because of the DLT program, students in rural areas can take advanced placement classes, residents can have access to specialized medical services not typically available, along with many other benefits for rural communities."
USDA Rural Development is making $19 million available through September 30, 2015. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program finances telecommunications equipment, computer networks, and advanced technologies for use by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000.
For more details about DLT program funding and the application process, see on page 29602 of the May 22, 2015, Federal Register. The application deadline is July 6, 2015.
Since 2009, USDA has provided more than $182 million to expand access to learning at nearly 4,700 rural educational facilities and to improve the delivery of medical care at more than 2,500 rural health facilities.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way—strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.