82 FR 34473 - Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 141 (July 25, 2017)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 141 (July 25, 2017)
| Page Range | 34473-34475 | |
| FR Document | 2017-15497 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 34473-34475] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-15497] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the second application window for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the Broadband Program). Announcing a second application window within the current FY is a statutory requirement of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new procedure amends previous announcements related to this application window and is designed to improve loan application processing, better manage work flow, and encourage infrastructure investment and job creation in rural communities in need of improved broadband service. In addition to announcing this application window, RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the second window for FY 2017. The agency has $115.2 million available in FY 2017 appropriated and carryover funds, and of this amount the agency expects that at least $60 million is available to fund applications received in this window. Further, the RUS typically solicits applications to under a Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) during the fiscal year. However, since a full year Appropriation Act for FY 2017 has been enacted, RUS is announcing the amount of funding currently available. DATES: Applications under this NOFA will be accepted immediately through September 30, 2017. RUS will review, evaluate and begin to process loan applications as they are received. After September 30, 2017, RUS will evaluate all applications that have been deemed to be complete and shall give priority to applications in accordance with 7 CFR 1738.203 if the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, exceeds the funding that is available to RUS for the Broadband Program. If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, does not exceed the funding that is available to the RUS for the Broadband Program, applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency's decision to approve an application. RUS reserves the option of using the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, first- served method as applicable to fund projects in the event additional funding becomes available. Applications can only be submitted through the agency's online application system through September 30, 2017. [[Page 34474]] Although applications that are incomplete once the September 30, 2017 deadline has passed will not be considered for FY 2017 funding, applicants may continue working on their applications in the online system beyond that date in order to prepare for additional funding opportunities that may be announced in future fiscal years. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Richard Anderson, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, Room 2844, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, Telephone: (202) 720-0800, or email: [email protected]. 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 Agricultural Act of 2014 (P. L. 113-79), also referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill. During FY 2017, 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 are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1738. Application Assistance RUS offers pre-application assistance, in which National Office staff as well as the General Field Representative assigned to the project will review the draft application, provide detailed comments, and identify when an application is not meeting eligibility requirements for funding. The online application system will allow RUS staff to assist an applicant with completing every part of an application as it is being developed. Application assistance will be available schedule permitting, generally on a first-come, first-served basis through September 22, 2017. Once an application is formally submitted, RUS will begin reviewing an application for conformance with the broadband regulation with respect to eligibility and technical and financial feasibility as soon as practical after it has been determined to be complete. The submission of an application will establish the receipt date of the application and its place in the first-come, first-served queue. In addition, once an application is formally submitted through the online system, the applicant may be asked for additional information which would assist the agency in the underwriting process or help clarify aspects of an otherwise complete application. If an application is ultimately found to be incomplete or inadequate, a detailed explanation will be provided to the applicant. To further assist in the preparation of applications, an 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 the RUS contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Application requirements: All requirements for submission of an application under the Broadband Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1738. Application Materials/Submission: Applications must be submitted through the agency's online application system located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rd-apply. All materials required for completing an application are included in the online system. 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 the second round for FY 2017 is now raised to $20,000,000. Required Definitions for Broadband Program Regulation The 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 NOFA, the agency is revising the definition of ``Broadband Service'', such that for applications submitted under this window, existing Broadband Service, the rate used to determine if an area is eligible for funding, shall mean the minimum rate-of-data transmission of twenty-five megabits downstream and three megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service. With respect to the ``Broadband Lending Speed'', the rate at which applicants must propose to offer new broadband service is a minimum bandwidth of twenty-five megabits downstream and three megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service to the customer. Priority for Approving Loan Applications Applications for the second application window in FY 2017 will be accepted from the publication date of this NOFA through September 30, 2017. Unfunded applications from the first application window will not automatically be considered in the second application window; applicants would need to reapply within the second application window. Although review of applications will start when they are submitted, after the closing date of the window, all applications will be evaluated and ranked together based on the percentage of unserved households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available funding, eligible applications that propose to serve the highest percentage of unserved households will receive funding offers before other eligible applications that have been submitted. The amount available will be published on the agency Web page once all budgetary allocations have been completed. If the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted within this application window does not exceed the funding that is available to the RUS for this program, applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received. Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the agency's decision to approve an application. The agency reserves the option of using the queue created in this round by the priority or first-come, first-served method as applicable to fund projects in the event additional funding becomes available. Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2017, until a new application opportunity has been opened with the publication of an additional NOFA 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 NOFA, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0130. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a [[Page 34475]] public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410,Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Christopher McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2017-15497 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / Notices 34473
by preventing the introduction and The purpose of this notice is to solicit Department of Agriculture (USDA),
interstate spread of serious diseases and comments from the public (as well as announces the second application
pests of livestock and by eradicating affected agencies) concerning our window for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the
such diseases from the United States information collection. These comments Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan
when feasible. In connection with this will help us: Guarantee Program (the Broadband
mission, APHIS operates the National (1) Evaluate whether the collection of Program). Announcing a second
Animal Health Monitoring System information is necessary for the proper application window within the current
(NAHMS), which collects nationally performance of the functions of the FY is a statutory requirement of the
representative, statistically valid, and Agency, including whether the 2014 Farm Bill. This new procedure
scientifically sound data on the information will have practical utility; amends previous announcements
prevalence and economic importance of (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our related to this application window and
livestock diseases and associated risk estimate of the burden of the collection is designed to improve loan application
factors. of information, including the validity of processing, better manage work flow,
APHIS NAHMS officials are often the methodology and assumptions used; and encourage infrastructure investment
asked by State and local animal health (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and and job creation in rural communities in
officials to carry out epidemiological clarity of the information to be need of improved broadband service.
investigations as diseases impact animal collected; and In addition to announcing this
health populations. Emergency (4) Minimize the burden of the application window, RUS revises the
epidemiological investigations will be collection of information on those who minimum and maximum amounts for
used to collect information on: are to respond, through use, as broadband loans for the second window
• Outbreaks of animal diseases with appropriate, of automated, electronic, for FY 2017.
unknown etiology and transmission, mechanical, and other collection The agency has $115.2 million
that are highly contagious, and that have technologies, such as electronic available in FY 2017 appropriated and
high case fatality. submission of responses. carryover funds, and of this amount the
• Outbreaks of known animal Estimate of burden: The public agency expects that at least $60 million
diseases that are highly contagious, reporting burden for this collection of is available to fund applications
virulent, and have unknown source of information is estimated to average 0.72 received in this window. Further, the
infection or mode of transmission. hours per response.
• Outbreaks of emerging, zoonotic, or RUS typically solicits applications to
Respondents: Livestock owners, under a Notice of Solicitation of
foreign animal diseases within the individuals, and State and local animal
United States. Applications (NOSA) during the fiscal
health officials. year. However, since a full year
• Outbreaks in which a delay in data
Estimated annual number of Appropriation Act for FY 2017 has been
collection could result in the loss of
respondents: 8,000. enacted, RUS is announcing the amount
epidemiologic information essential to
Estimated annual number of of funding currently available.
assist laboratory investigations and/or
responses per respondent: 1. DATES: Applications under this NOFA
disease control efforts.
These investigations will normally Estimated annual number of will be accepted immediately through
consist of an on-farm questionnaire responses: 8,000. September 30, 2017. RUS will review,
administered by APHIS-designated data Estimated total annual burden on evaluate and begin to process loan
collectors. The information collected respondents: 5,798 hours. (Due to applications as they are received. After
through emergency epidemiologic averaging, the total annual burden hours September 30, 2017, RUS will evaluate
investigations will be analyzed and used may not equal the product of the annual all applications that have been deemed
to: number of responses multiplied by the to be complete and shall give priority to
• Identify the scope of the problem. reporting burden per response.) applications in accordance with 7 CFR
• Define and describe the affected All responses to this notice will be 1738.203 if the total amount of funding
population and susceptible population. summarized and included in the request sought by eligible applicants with
• Predict or detect trends in disease for OMB approval. All comments will completed applications submitted by
emergence and movement. also become a matter of public record. September 30, 2017, exceeds the
• Understand the risk factors for Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of funding that is available to RUS for the
disease. July 2017. Broadband Program.
• Estimate the cost of disease control Michael C. Gregoire, If the total amount of funding sought
and develop intervention options.
• Make recommendations for disease
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant by eligible applicants with completed
Health Inspection Service. applications submitted by September
control.
• Provide parameters for animal [FR Doc. 2017–15575 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am] 30, 2017, does not exceed the funding
disease spread models. BILLING CODE 3410–34–P that is available to the RUS for the
• Provide lessons learned and Broadband Program, applications will
guidance on the best ways to avoid be processed and reviewed in the order
future outbreaks based on thorough DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE received. Loan offers are limited to the
analysis of data from current funds available at the time of the
Rural Utilities Service agency’s decision to approve an
outbreak(s).
• Identify areas for further research, Rural Broadband Access Loan and
application. RUS reserves the option of
e.g. mechanisms of disease transfer, using the queue created in this round by
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Loan Guarantee Program
vaccine technology, and diagnostic the priority or first-come, first-served
testing needs. AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. method as applicable to fund projects in
We are asking the Office of Notice of Funds Availability
ACTION: the event additional funding becomes
Management and Budget (OMB) to (NOFA). available.
approve our use of this information Applications can only be submitted
collection activity for an additional 3 SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service through the agency’s online application
years. (RUS), an agency of the United States system through September 30, 2017.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 141 / Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / Notices 34475
public assistance program, political meeting date and venue and Agenda
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior determining the list of invited expert I. Welcome and Introductions
civil rights activity, in any program or presenters. Rollcall
activity conducted or funded by USDA DATES: Monday, August 21, 2017, at II. Planning Meeting
(not all bases apply to all programs). 10:00 a.m. (EDT). —Discuss Project Planning
Remedies and complaint filing Public Call–In Information: III. Other Business
deadlines vary by program or incident. Conference call number: 1–888–737– IV. Adjournment
Persons with disabilities who require 3705 and conference call ID: 5272563. Dated: July 20, 2017.
alternative means of communication for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy David Mussatt,
program information (e.g., Braille, large L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
print, audiotape, American Sign at 202–376–7533. [FR Doc. 2017–15560 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am]
Language, etc.) should contact the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested BILLING CODE P
responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET
members of the public may listen to the
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
discussion by calling the following toll-
TTY) or contact USDA through the
free conference call number: 1–888– DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
737–3705 and conference call ID:
Additionally, program information may
5272563. Please be advised that before Foreign-Trade Zones Board
be made available in languages other
placing them into the conference call,
than English. [S–110–2017]
the conference call operator may ask
To file a program discrimination
callers to provide their names, their Foreign-Trade Zone 18—San Jose,
complaint, complete the USDA Program
organizational affiliations (if any), and California; Application for Subzone
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
email addresses (so that callers may be Expansion; Lam Research
3027, found online at http://
notified of future meetings). Callers can Corporation; Livermore, California
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
expect to incur charges for calls they
cust.html and at any USDA office or An application has been submitted to
initiate over wireless lines, and the
write a letter addressed to USDA and the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by
Commission will not refund any
provide in the letter all of the the City of San Jose, grantee of FTZ 18,
incurred charges. Callers will incur no
information requested in the form. To requesting expanded subzone status for
charge for calls they initiate over land-
request a copy of the complaint form, the facilities of Lam Research
line connections to the toll-free
call (866) 632–9992. Submit your Corporation (Lam), located in
telephone number herein.
completed form or letter to USDA by: Persons with hearing impairments Livermore, California. The application
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of may also follow the discussion by first was submitted pursuant to the
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 888–364–3109 and providing the Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u),
Independence Avenue SW., Stop operator with the toll-free conference and the regulations of the FTZ Board (15
9410,Washington, DC 20250–9410; call number: 1–888–737–3705 and CFR part 400). It was formally docketed
(2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or conference call ID: 5272563. on July 20, 2017.
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Members of the public are invited to Subzone 18F consists of the following
USDA is an equal opportunity submit written comments; the sites in Fremont and Livermore: Site 1
provider, employer, and lender. comments must be received in the (29 acres) 4650 Cushing Parkway,
Christopher McLean, regional office approximately 30 days Fremont; Site 4 (14.82 acres) 1 and 101
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. after each scheduled meeting. Written Portola Avenue, Livermore (7.82 acres
[FR Doc. 2017–15497 Filed 7–24–17; 8:45 am]
comments may be mailed to the Eastern located at 101 Portola Avenue expiring
Regional Office, U.S. Commission on on 9/30/2017); Site 5 (4.4 acres)—7364
BILLING CODE P
Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Marathon Drive and 7150 Patterson Pass
Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC Road, Unit G, Livermore; Site 7 (0.91
20425, or emailed to Evelyn Bohor at acres)—6757 Las Positas Road,
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire Livermore; Site 8 (0.44 acres)—7888
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting additional information may contact the Marathon Drive, Livermore; Site 9 (1.6
of the Delaware Advisory Committee Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376– acres)—41707 Christy Street, Fremont;
7533. Site 11 (1.19 acres)—4050 Starboard
AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. Records and documents discussed Drive, Fremont; and, Site 12 (0.98
ACTION:Announcement of monthly during the meeting will be available for acres)—7650 Marathon Drive,
planning meetings. public viewing as they become available Livermore. The applicant is now
at http://facadatabase.gov/committee/ requesting authority to expand the
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, meetings.aspx?cid=240; click the subzone to include the temporary 7.82
pursuant to the provisions of the rules ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’ acres of Site 4 mentioned above on a
and regulations of the U.S. Commission links. Records generated from this permanent basis. The expanded subzone
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the meeting may also be inspected and would be subject to the existing
Federal Advisory Committee Act reproduced at the Eastern Regional activation limit of FTZ 18.
(FACA), that a planning meeting of the Office, as they become available, both In accordance with the FTZ Board’s
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Delaware Advisory Committee to the before and after the meetings. Persons regulations, Christopher Kemp of the
Commission will convene by conference interested in the work of this advisory FTZ Staff is designated examiner to
call, on Monday, August 21 at 10:00 committee are advised to go to the review the application and make
a.m. (EDT). The purpose of the meeting Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov, recommendations to the Executive
is to make preparations for a briefing or to contact the Eastern Regional Office Secretary.
meeting on Policing and Implicit Bias in at the above phone number, email or Public comment is invited from
Delaware, including selecting the street address. interested parties. Submissions shall be
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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:21:21
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:21:21
| 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 Funds Availability (NOFA). | |
| Dates | Applications under this NOFA will be accepted immediately through September 30, 2017. RUS will review, evaluate and begin to process loan applications as they are received. After September 30, 2017, RUS will evaluate all applications that have been deemed to be complete and shall give priority to applications in accordance with 7 CFR 1738.203 if the total amount of funding sought by eligible applicants with completed applications submitted by September 30, 2017, exceeds the funding that is available to RUS for the Broadband Program. | |
| Contact | For further information contact Richard Anderson, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Originations and Approval Division, Rural Utilities Service, Room 2844, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1597, Telephone: (202) 720-0800, or email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 34473 |
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