The grant writers and project developers out there may be able to tap some
of this funding to address accessibility of distance education
resources.  The guidelines make it clear that this funding is to serve
rural citizens and often accessibility is hard to come by in smaller towns
at places like libraries and such.

 From the web page:

http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/1999/11/0449

USDA Accepting Applications for $220 Million in Distance Learning Telemedicine
Projects

                                             Release No. 0449.99

                      Media Contact: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          [log in to unmask]
                  Public Contact: Claiborne Crain (202) 720-1255
                                          [log in to unmask]

USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $220 MILLION IN DISTANCE LEARNING,
TELEMEDICINE PROJECTS

             WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
today announced that USDA is accepting applications for distance learning and
telemedicine projects through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)
Loan and Grant program. USDA has $20 million in grants and $200 million in
loans available for innovative uses of new telecommunications technologies to
provide improved educational and health care opportunities to rural citizens.

      "There are tremendous opportunities for improved educational and health
care services in rural America thanks to innovations in telecommunications
technology," Glickman said. "With distance learning, students in isolated
rural schools can participate in virtual field trips or take college
preparatory and foreign language classes that would not otherwise be available
to them. Telemedicine projects are bringing better health care service to
remote communities and saving time, money and even lives."

      The DLT program for fiscal year 2000 gives educational organizations and
rural health care providers three different funding routes: for loans; for
loan/grant combinations; and for  grants only.

      USDA will accept loan and combination loan and grant applications until
Sept. 30, 2000, and process them on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Applications for grants must be postmarked by no later than March 17, 2000.

      "As a part of the technological innovation legacy of this
administration, the DLT program is giving us a clear view to a better future
for rural education and health care service," said Jill Long Thompson, USDA
under secretary for rural development. "With $81 million invested in more than
304 projects since 1993, this program has improved the educational
opportunities for thousands of students and provided better quality health
care to rural citizens served by more than 800 hospitals and rural health care
clinics."

      Additional details, along with regulations and application guide are
available on the Internet at the following address:
http://www.usda.gov/rus/dlt/dlml.htm .   The telephone contact is (202) 690-
4493 and the  facsimile number is (202)720-1051.  Applications are to be
submitted to the Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Mail Stop 1550, Washington, D.C. 20250-1550. Indicate that they are to the
attention of the Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications
Program.


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