The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development released a final rule to allow the use of funds under select programs to help expand access to broadband services for rural businesses and residents.
Effective immediately, entities may be eligible to use up to 10 percent of a loan, grant, or loan guarantee to build, improve, or acquire rural broadband facilities and equipment in areas not served by the minimum acceptable level of broadband service of 25 megabits downstream and 3 megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service. This use of funds is permitted under the following programs:
- Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program;
- Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantee Program;
- Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program;
- Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects Program;
- Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program;
- Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program;
- Multi-Family Housing Direct Loan Program;
- Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantee Program;
- Intermediary Relending Program;
- Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program;
- Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program;
- Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program;
- Rural Energy for American Program; and
- Rural Business Development Grant Program.
Although this final rule is effective immediately, USDA is also seeking comments from interested members of the public on all aspects of the rule. Comments should be submitted at www.regulations.gov by November 16, 2020.
This final rule is authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). For additional information, see page 57077 of the September 15, 2020, Federal Register.
Questions related to Rural Development programs in Oregon may be directed to a local staff member.