80 FR 45504 - Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 146 (July 30, 2015)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 146 (July 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 45504-45505 | |
| FR Document | 2015-18623 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 45504-45505] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-18623] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2015 for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee program (the Broadband Program). RUS has published on its Web site http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas the amount of funding received through the final appropriations act. In addition to announcing the application window, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for FY 2015. Moreover, the Agency is concurrently publishing a proposed interim final rule that will revise the current Broadband Program regulations at 7 CFR part 1738, as necessitated by Pubic Law 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). DATES: Applications under this NOSA will be accepted immediately, July 30, 2015 through September 30, 2015, subject to the requirements of the interim regulation published concurrently with this NOSA. ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted to the RUS General Field Representative or to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Loan Originations and Approval Division, ATTN: Shawn Arner, STOP 1597, Room 2808-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, as provided in the application guide found online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, Telephone (202) 720-0800. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: General Information The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the Broadband Program) is authorized by the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as amended by the 2014 Farm Bill. During FY 2015, loans will be made available for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide service at the broadband lending speed for eligible rural areas. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the interim final rule published concurrently with this NOSA. To assist in the preparation of applications, the application guide is available online at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees. Application guides may also be requested from RUS by contacting the agency contact. Application requirements and Addresses: All requirements and addresses for submission of an application under the Broadband Program will be set forth in the interim regulation published concurrently with this NOSA. Application Materials: Applications for the Broadband Program will be available at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees. Minimum and Maximum Loan Amounts Loans under this authority will not be made for less than $100,000. The maximum loan amount that will be considered for FY 2015 is $20,000,000. Required Definitions for Broadband Program Regulation The interim regulation for the Broadband Program requires that certain definitions affecting eligibility be revised and published from time to time by the agency in the Federal Register. For the purposes of this interim regulation, the agency shall use the following definitions: Broadband Service and Broadband Lending Speed. Until otherwise revised in the Federal Register, for applications in FY 2015, to qualify as broadband service, the minimum rate-of-data transmission shall be four megabits downstream and one megabit upstream for both fixed and mobile broadband service and the broadband lending speed will be a minimum bandwidth of ten megabits downstream and one megabit upstream for both fixed and mobile service to the customer. Priority for Approving Loan Applications Applications for FY 2015 will be accepted from July 30, 2015 through September 30, 2015. Although review of applications will start when they are submitted, all applications submitted by September 30, 2015 will be evaluated and ranked on the basis of the number of unserved households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available funding, eligible applications that propose to serve the most unserved households will receive funding offers before other eligible applications that have been submitted. Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2015, until a new funding window has been opened with [[Page 45505]] the publication of an additional NOSA in the Federal Register. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements associated with Broadband loans, as covered in this NOSA, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0130. Dated: July 8, 2015. Brandon McBride, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2015-18623 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![45504 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Notices
subscription service which provides Department of Agriculture (USDA), www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
automatic and customized access to announces that it is accepting farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-
selected food safety news and applications for fiscal year (FY) 2015 for guarantees. Application guides may also
information. This service is available at: the Rural Broadband Access Loan and be requested from RUS by contacting
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Loan Guarantee program (the Broadband the agency contact.
Options range from recalls to export Program). RUS has published on its Web Application requirements and
information, regulations, directives, and site http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/ Addresses: All requirements and
notices. Customers can add or delete notices-solicitation-applications-nosas addresses for submission of an
subscriptions themselves, and have the the amount of funding received through application under the Broadband
option to password protect their the final appropriations act. Program will be set forth in the interim
accounts. In addition to announcing the regulation published concurrently with
application window, RUS announces this NOSA.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
the minimum and maximum amounts Application Materials: Applications
No agency, officer, or employee of the for broadband loans for FY 2015. for the Broadband Program will be
USDA shall, on the grounds of race, Moreover, the Agency is concurrently available at http://www.rd.usda.gov/
color, national origin, religion, sex, publishing a proposed interim final rule programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-
gender identity, sexual orientation, that will revise the current Broadband loans-loan-guarantees.
disability, age, marital status, family/ Program regulations at 7 CFR part 1738,
parental status, income derived from a as necessitated by Pubic Law 113–79, Minimum and Maximum Loan
public assistance program, or political the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Amounts
beliefs, exclude from participation in, Bill). Loans under this authority will not be
deny the benefits of, or subject to DATES: Applications under this NOSA made for less than $100,000. The
discrimination any person in the United will be accepted immediately, July 30,
States under any program or activity maximum loan amount that will be
2015 through September 30, 2015, considered for FY 2015 is $20,000,000.
conducted by the USDA.
subject to the requirements of the
How To File a Complaint of interim regulation published Required Definitions for Broadband
Discrimination concurrently with this NOSA. Program Regulation
To file a complaint of discrimination, ADDRESSES: Applications should be The interim regulation for the
complete the USDA Program submitted to the RUS General Field Broadband Program requires that certain
Discrimination Complaint Form, which Representative or to U.S. Department of definitions affecting eligibility be
may be accessed online at http:// Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, revised and published from time to time
www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ Loan Originations and Approval by the agency in the Federal Register.
docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_ Division, ATTN: Shawn Arner, STOP For the purposes of this interim
12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you 1597, Room 2808–S, 1400 Independence regulation, the agency shall use the
or your authorized representative. Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250–1597, following definitions: Broadband
Send your completed complaint form as provided in the application guide Service and Broadband Lending Speed.
or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email: found online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/ Until otherwise revised in the Federal
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, programs-services/farm-bill-broadband- Register, for applications in FY 2015, to
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 loans-loan-guarantees. qualify as broadband service, the
Independence Avenue SW., FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For minimum rate-of-data transmission
Washington, DC 20250–9410. further information contact Shawn shall be four megabits downstream and
Fax: (202) 690–7442. Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, one megabit upstream for both fixed and
Email Email: program.intake@ Loan Originations and Approval mobile broadband service and the
usda.gov. Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP broadband lending speed will be a
Persons with disabilities who require 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., minimum bandwidth of ten megabits
alternative means for communication Washington, DC 20250–1597, downstream and one megabit upstream
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), Telephone (202) 720–0800. for both fixed and mobile service to the
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center customer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
General Information Priority for Approving Loan
Done at Washington, DC, on July 24, 2015.
Applications
Mary Frances Lowe, The Rural Broadband Access Loan
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius. and Loan Guarantee Program (the Applications for FY 2015 will be
[FR Doc. 2015–18629 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am] Broadband Program) is authorized by accepted from July 30, 2015 through
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. September 30, 2015. Although review of
901 et seq.), as amended by the 2014 applications will start when they are
Farm Bill. submitted, all applications submitted by
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE During FY 2015, loans will be made September 30, 2015 will be evaluated
available for the construction, and ranked on the basis of the number
Rural Utilities Service improvement, and acquisition of of unserved households in the proposed
facilities and equipment to provide funded service area. Subject to available
Rural Broadband Access Loans and service at the broadband lending speed funding, eligible applications that
Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Loan Guarantees Program for eligible rural areas. Applications propose to serve the most unserved
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. must be submitted in accordance with households will receive funding offers
the interim final rule published before other eligible applications that
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of
concurrently with this NOSA. have been submitted.
applications (NOSA).
To assist in the preparation of Applications will not be accepted
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service applications, the application guide is after September 30, 2015, until a new
(RUS), an agency of the United States available online at: http:// funding window has been opened with
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Notices 45505
the publication of an additional NOSA provide detailed statistics on businesses content to change over time. In addition,
in the Federal Register. and business owners more frequently. the Census Bureau should explore the
The ASE is a joint effort funded by the possibility of creating a public-use
Paperwork Reduction Act
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, (anonymized) SBO or a restricted access
In accordance with the Paperwork the Minority Business Development version of the data file.’’
Reduction Act of 1995, the information Agency (MBDA), and the Census Lisa M. Lynch, John Haltiwanger, and
collection requirements associated with Bureau. On behalf of the Secretary of Christopher Mackie, eds. Understanding
Broadband loans, as covered in this Commerce, pursuant to section 1(a)(3) of Business Dynamics: An Integrated Data
NOSA, have been approved by the Executive Order 11625, the MBDA may System for America’s Future. National
Office of Management and Budget enter into this agreement with the Academies Press, 2007.
(OMB) under OMB Control Number Census Bureau to establish a means for The additional sources of capital and
0572–0130. the development, collection, financing questions will provide
Dated: July 8, 2015. summation, and dissemination of information on the financial trends and
information that will be helpful to financial challenges faced by
Brandon McBride,
persons and organizations throughout entrepreneurs. Tabulation of the
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. financing questions will offer insight
the nation in undertaking or promoting
[FR Doc. 2015–18623 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am] the establishment and successful into the type of funding acquired and
BILLING CODE P operation of minority business used by women-, minority-, and
enterprises. The Census Bureau will veteran-owned businesses. The 2014
collaborate with the Kauffman ASE module will allow for a better
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foundation, the MBDA, and other understanding of the innovation and
agencies to ensure the ASE is as robust research and development activities
Submission for OMB Review; and effective as possible. conducted by entrepreneurs.
Comment Request The Census Bureau will collect data Additionally, it will allow for an
starting with the 2014 reference year, assessment on the competitiveness of
The Department of Commerce will
with corresponding estimates released businesses by ownership characteristics.
submit to the Office of Management and
in 2016. Estimates will include number The longitudinal component will help
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
of firms, sales/receipts, annual payroll, track and assess the growth of firms in
following proposal for collection of and employment by gender, ethnicity,
information under the provisions of the the sample over time. This will also
race, and veteran status. The ASE allow for research into the changes to
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. includes questions from the 2012 SBO
chapter 35). the characteristics of businesses over
long form SBO–1 with additional time.
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. questions to collect data on Under Title 13, United States Code,
Title: Annual Survey of entrepreneurs’ access to capital. The Section 182, the Secretary of Commerce
Entrepreneurs. ASE will introduce a new module each has deemed it necessary to conduct an
OMB Control Number: None. year focusing on an important annual survey on characteristics of
Form Number(s): The online survey component related to business growth. businesses and business owners. The
instrument does not have a form Proposed module topics include ASE augments the quinquennial SBO
number. innovation, research and development, collected and disseminated under Title
Type of Request: New collection. technological advances, Internet usage, 13, United States Code, Section 131.
Number of Respondents: 290,000. management and business practices, Government program officials,
Average Hours per Response: 35 exporting practices, and globalization. industry organization leaders, economic
minutes. The 2014 ASE module covers and social analysts and researchers, and
Burden Hours: 169,167. innovation and research and business entrepreneurs are anticipated
Needs and Uses: In an effort to development. The survey will be a users of ASE statistics. Examples of data
improve the timely measurement of sample of 290,000 employer businesses use include:
business dynamics in the United States, stratified by metropolitan statistical area • The Small Business Administration
the U.S. Census Bureau plans to (MSA), state, frame, and age of business. (SBA) and the Minority Business
conduct a new annual survey focused By oversampling young businesses, this Development Agency (MBDA) to assess
on employer businesses. The new survey will help assess the impact business assistance needs and allocate
survey will be known as the Annual young firms have on the growth of the available program resources.
Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE) and will economy. Additionally, the survey will • Local government commissions on
collect information on characteristics of implement a longitudinal component small and disadvantaged businesses to
businesses and business owners. The that will allow the growth of the firms establish and evaluate contract
survey was going to be called the in the sample to be tracked and procurement practices.
Annual Survey of Business Owners, but analyzed over time. • Federal, state and local government
that name was changed to fit the This collection will allow the Census agencies as a framework for planning,
survey’s focus on assessing Bureau to collaborate on the directing and assessing programs that
entrepreneurial business practices and implementation of a key National promote the activities of disadvantaged
demographics. The ASE will be a Academies recommendation for groups.
supplement to the Survey of Business improving the measurement of business • The National Women’s Business
Owners and Self-Employed Persons dynamics in the U.S. economy, which Council to assess the state of women’s
Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(SBO), which provides economic and recommended: business ownership for policymakers,
demographic characteristics for ‘‘The Census Bureau Survey of researchers, and the public at large.
businesses and business owners by Business Owners (SBO) should be • Consultants and researchers to
gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran conducted on an annual basis. The analyze long-term economic and
status every 5 years. The ASE is an survey should include both a demographic shifts, and differences in
intercensal program. The ASE will help longitudinal component and a flexible, ownership and performance among
assess the health of the economy and modular design that allows survey geographic areas.
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:30:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:30:21
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA). | |
| Dates | Applications under this NOSA will be accepted immediately, July 30, 2015 through September 30, 2015, subject to the requirements of the interim regulation published concurrently with this NOSA. | |
| Contact | For further information contact Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, Telephone (202) 720-0800. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 45504 |
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