ReConnect Program

ReConnect Program is sponsored by USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS). USDA RUS’s ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and combinations thereof to fund construction, improvement, or acquisition of broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas lacking sufficient service.

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**Secure websites use HTTPS** Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture * Rural Business-Cooperative Service * Rural Utilities Service * Healthy Food Financing Initiative * Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development * Substantially Underserved Trust Area (SUTA) * Cybersecurity for Water and Wastewater Systems * Community Facilities Programs * Multifamily Housing Programs * Single Family Housing Programs * Telecommunications Programs * Water & Environmental Programs * Program Support Services * General Terms and Conditions * General Terms and Conditions - Legacy View all General Terms and Conditions * For Water & Environmental Engineers * Rural Development Disaster Assistance View all Programs & Services * Stakeholder Announcements ### **Ohio Feed Mill Modernizes with USDA Lending Partnership** Towering over the main intersection of Baltic, Ohio, is the Gerber & Sons, Inc. feed mill.

Since it first started in 1905, this family-owned business in rural Holmes County has produced custom feed mix and bulk feed for local livestock and poultry farmers...

* Publications for Cooperatives * Regulations and Guidance View all Regulations and Guidance * Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) * LINC Contact and Resources View all LINC Training Library * RD Forms Help and How To Videos ### Human Resources Inquiries ### **Existing Home Loan Borrower Inquiries** PO Box 66889 St. Louis, MO 63166 1. [](https://www.

rd. usda.

gov/) * Community Facilities Programs * Multifamily Housing Programs * Single Family Housing Programs * Telecommunications Programs * Water & Environmental Programs * Program Support Services * General Terms and Conditions * General Terms and Conditions - Legacy * For Water & Environmental Engineers * Rural Development Disaster Assistance The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband.

To learn more about the ReConnect Program, please visit: https://www. usda. gov/reconnect.

* The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and all RUS Recipients, Grantees, and Borrowers are required to conduct Self-Evaluations of their facilities, policies, procedures, and practices for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Read the Memorandum dated August 25, 2021 for details.

* The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the Sub Contract Approval Waiver dated April 6, 2021 and the current requirements of 7 CFR 1753. 9 are waived and RUS borrowers in the Telecom Infrastructure Program are no longer required to submit subcontracts for approval. * Access to broadband has become essential for the social and economic benefits it provides to American residents, businesses, governments and communities.

Broadband is crucial for increased health, educational and economic opportunities, as well as for job and business creation and growth. Broadband can help close the digital divide between rural and urban communities. * USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Programs provide a variety of loans and grants to build and expand broadband networks.

Loans to build broadband networks and deliver service to rural households and businesses, provide capital for rural telecommunications companies and broadband providers. Grants are reserved for communities with the highest need.

### Broadband Technical Assistance BTA provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training and supports the development and expansion of broadband service.

### Community Connect Grants The purpose of the Community Connect Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide, on a “community -oriented connectivity” basis, broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety benefits.

### Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.

### Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combinations, and Loan Guarantees The Rural Broadband Loans, Loan/Grant Combinations, and Loan Guarantees (Farm Bill Broadband Program) furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas ### Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees This program provides financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas.

Eligible applicants include for-profit and non-profit entities, tribes, municipalities and cooperatives. USDA particularly encourages investments in tribal and economically disadvantaged areas. Once funds are awarded, Rural Development monitors the projects to make sure they are completed, meet all program requirements and are making efficient use of Federal resources.

Each program has different applicant and project eligibility requirements and program objectives. **Contact**:Telecom Program Assistant Administrator Laurel Leverrier. * Functional Structure is focused on Customer Service **The RUS Telecom Program is comprised of three divisions:**theLoan Origination and Approval Division (LOAD), Portfolio Management and Risk Assessment Division (PMRAD), and the Policy and Outreach Division (POD).

* Where a Loan or Grant Application Starts, is Completed and Submitted LOAD is the primary contact for all telecom borrowers and grant applicants. It consists of a Financial Operations Branch, an Engineering Branch and two Field Staff Branches which superviseGeneral Field Representatives (GFRs). The GFRs help borrowers develop and submit loan applications and support materials.

The Financial Operations and Engineering Branches within LOAD provide guidance to borrowers for all financial and operational activities, as well as assistance with the development and approval of loan applications and environmental clearance. LOAD is also responsible for grant application review, scoring and award. Activities within LOAD continue through loan/grant approval and the obligation of funds.

**Contact**:LOAD Deputy Assistant Administrator Shekinah Pepper. * General Field Representatives providing Customer Service to Our Borrowers The Telecom Program maintains a staff of General Field Representatives (GFRs) stationed around the country. GFRs are an integral part of our outreach delivery system.

GFRs meet regularly with borrowers at the borrowers’ locations. GFRs serve as the local information conduit for the borrowers and headquarters staff. They keep borrowers current on issues that profoundly impact their business.

* Post-Loan Services Ensure Loan Funds are Advanced; Financial and Operational Performance Supports the Borrowers’ Ability to Repay The Portfolio Management and Risk Assessment Division (PMRAD) consist of four branches: two Post-Loan Servicing Engineering Branches, a Post-Loan Servicing Financial Operations Branch, and a Portfolio Management Financial Operations Branch.

All four of the branches provide post-loan and grant services to the loans and grants made by the Telecom Program, with the Engineering Branches primarily involved with the review and approval of contracts and approval of advances of loan and grant funds for approved projects.

The Operations Branches review financial and operational performance of borrowers and grantees, monitor compliance and repayment, and address other issues pertaining to loan and grant legal requirements. **Contact**:PMRAD Deputy Assistant Administrator Aylene Mafnas. **Contact**: POD Deputy Assistant Administrator La’Kenya Walter.

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