The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2016 RUS Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee program, the agency announced April 8.
FY 2016 Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees of $100,000 to $10 million will be awarded for construction, improvement and acquisition of equipment and facilities that provide broadband services to eligible rural areas.
RUS Broadband Loan Program
In general, the terms of RUS Rural Broadband Access Program loans and loan guarantees match the expected composite economic life of the assets to be financed plus three years. All applications must be submitted via the agency’s online application system. Online applications are available on the USDA website. The application window closes July 7.
Those interested in gaining a better understanding of funded projects and organizations can access information regarding current program participants by searching USDA’s Rural Development Broadband Program Mapping Tool.
Also of note, all applications are subject to the interim final regulation published in the July 30 Federal Register at Vol. 80, No. 146, RUS explains.
Image courtesy of flickr user Sean MacEntee.
