83 FR 57406 - Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 221 (November 15, 2018)

Page Range		57406-57407
FR Document		2018-24860

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) 2019 for the Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program (the Broadband Program). RUS will publish the amount of funding received through the final appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices- solicitation-applications-nosas. RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout FY 2019. This will give RUS the ability to request additional information and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Every 90 days, RUS will conduct an evaluation of the submitted applications. During the evaluation period, applications will be ranked based on the percentage of unserved households that the applicant proposes to serve. RUS will conduct at least two evaluation periods for FY 2019. Because the Agency will receive applications throughout the fiscal year, subsequent evaluation periods can alter the ranking of applications. In addition to announcing its acceptance of FY 2019 applications, RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the fiscal year.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57406-57407]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24860]

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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).

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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) 2019 for the Rural Broadband Access
Loans and Loan Guarantees Program (the Broadband Program). RUS will
publish the amount of funding received through the final appropriations
act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.
RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout FY
2019. This will give RUS the ability to request additional information
and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary.
Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.
Every 90 days, RUS will conduct an evaluation of the submitted
applications. During the evaluation period, applications will be ranked
based on the percentage of unserved households that the applicant
proposes to serve. RUS will conduct at least two evaluation periods for
FY 2019. Because the Agency will receive applications throughout the
fiscal year, subsequent evaluation periods can alter the ranking of
applications.
In addition to announcing its acceptance of FY 2019 applications,
RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the
fiscal year.

DATES: Applications under this NOSA will be accepted immediately
through September 30, 2019. RUS will process loan applications as they
are received.
Applications can only be submitted online through the RD Apply
website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rd-apply through
September 30, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Loan Origination and Approval Division, Rural Utilities
Service, Room 2844, STOP 1597, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250-1597; telephone: (202) 720-0800, or email:
shawn.arner@usda.gov.

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 (Pub.
L. 113-79), also referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill.
During FY 2019, loans will be made available for the construction,
improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment that will
provide service at the Broadband Lending Speed in eligible rural areas.
Applications are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1738. No
funding for Guaranteed Loans is available in FY 2019 and the agency
will not be considering applications for this type of funding.
The Agency encourages applications that will support
recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help
improve life in rural America which can be found at www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that
provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust
and sustainable economies through strategic investments in
infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include:

Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
Developing the Rural Economy
Harnessing Technological Innovation
Supporting a Rural Workforce
Improving Quality of Life

Application Assistance

RUS offers pre-application assistance, in which National Office
staff and the assigned General Field Representative review the draft
application, provide detailed comments, and identify areas where an
application is not meeting eligibility requirements for funding. The
online application system allows RUS staff to assist an applicant with
every part of an application as it is being developed. Once the
application is formally submitted, the online system will timestamp the
submitted version and establish the application's place in the
processing queue.
Based on the order in which the applications are received, RUS will
review the application for completeness. The applicant may be asked for
additional information to clarify aspects of an otherwise complete
application or to assist the Agency in the underwriting process. If the
application is determined to be complete, RUS will review the package
for eligibility and technical and financial feasibility, in accordance
with 7 CFR part 1738. 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: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-guarantees. An
application guide 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 FY 2019 is
$25,000,000.

[[Page 57407]]

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
NOSA, the Agency is revising the definitions of Broadband Service and
Broadband Lending Speed.
Broadband Service is determined to exist if customers can access a
minimum rate-of-data transmission of 25 megabits downstream and 3
megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service. This rate is used
to determine whether an area is eligible for funding.
Broadband Lending Speed is the minimum rate-of-data transmission
that applicants must propose to offer the customer. The Broadband
Lending Speed is 25 megabits downstream and 3 megabits upstream for
both mobile and fixed service.

Priority for Approving Loan Applications

Applications for FY 2019 will be accepted from the publication date
of this NOSA through September 30, 2019. Although review of
applications will begin as they are submitted, all applications will be
evaluated and ranked every 90 days based on the percentage of unserved
households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available
funding, eligible applications that propose to serve a higher
percentage of unserved households will receive funding offers before
other eligible applications that propose to serve a lower percentage of
unserved households. The amount available will be published on the
Agency web page once all budgetary allocations have been completed.
Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the
Agency's decision to approve an application.
Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2019, until a
new application opportunity has been opened with 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.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and 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 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 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 (English) or (800)
845-6136 (Spanish).
Individuals who wish to file a Program Discrimination Complaint
must complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF). To
file a program discrimination complaint, you may obtain a complaint
form by sending an email to Cr-info@ascr.usda.gov or calling (866) 632-
9992 to request the form. A letter may also be written containing all
of the information requested in the form.
Send the completed complaint form or letter by mail to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or email at
program.intake@usda.gov. Additional information can be found online at
https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Dated: October 24, 2018.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24860 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / Notices 57407

Required Definitions for Broadband regulations and policies, the USDA, its and regulations of the U.S. Commission
Program Regulation agencies, offices, and employees, and on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
The regulation for the Broadband institutions participating in or Federal Advisory Committee Act that
Program requires that certain definitions administering USDA programs are the Florida Advisory Committee
affecting eligibility be revised and prohibited from discriminating based on (Committee) will hold a meeting on
published from time to time by the race, color, national origin, religion, sex, Monday, December 3, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
Agency in the Federal Register. For the gender identity (including gender (EST) for the purpose discussing civil
purposes of this NOSA, the Agency is expression), sexual orientation, rights concerns in the state.
revising the definitions of Broadband disability, age, marital status, family/
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Service and Broadband Lending Speed. parental status, income derived from a
Monday, December 3, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
Broadband Service is determined to public assistance program, political
(EST).
exist if customers can access a beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or Public Call Information: Dial: 877–
minimum rate-of-data transmission of 260–1479, Conference ID: 5812789.
25 megabits downstream and 3 megabits activity conducted or funded by USDA
upstream for both mobile and fixed (not all bases apply to all programs). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
service. This rate is used to determine Remedies and complaint filing Hinton, DFO, at jhinton@usccr.gov
whether an area is eligible for funding. deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members
Broadband Lending Speed is the of the public can listen to the
minimum rate-of-data transmission that alternative means of communication for
program information (e.g., Braille, large discussion. This meeting is available to
applicants must propose to offer the the public through the toll-free call-in
customer. The Broadband Lending print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the number dial: 877–260–1479, Conference
Speed is 25 megabits downstream and 3 ID: 5812789. An open comment period
megabits upstream for both mobile and Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at
(202) 720–2600 (voice and TTY) or will be provided to allow members of
fixed service. the public to make a statement as time
contact USDA through the Federal Relay
Priority for Approving Loan Service at (800) 877–8339 (English) or allows. The conference call operator
Applications (800) 845–6136 (Spanish). will ask callers to identify themselves,
Applications for FY 2019 will be Individuals who wish to file a the organization they are affiliated with
accepted from the publication date of Program Discrimination Complaint must (if any), and an email address prior to
this NOSA through September 30, 2019. complete the USDA Program placing callers into the conference
Although review of applications will Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF). room. Callers can expect to incur regular
begin as they are submitted, all To file a program discrimination charges for calls they initiate over
applications will be evaluated and complaint, you may obtain a complaint wireless lines, according to their
ranked every 90 days based on the form by sending an email to Cr-info@ wireless plan. The Commission will not
percentage of unserved households in ascr.usda.gov or calling (866) 632–9992 refund any incurred charges. Callers
the proposed funded service area. to request the form. A letter may also be will incur no charge for calls they
Subject to available funding, eligible written containing all of the information initiate over land-line connections to
applications that propose to serve a requested in the form. the toll-free telephone number. Persons
higher percentage of unserved Send the completed complaint form with hearing impairments may also
households will receive funding offers or letter by mail to the U.S. Department follow the proceedings by first calling
before other eligible applications that of Agriculture, Director, Office of the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–
propose to serve a lower percentage of Adjudication, 1400 Independence 8339 and providing the Service with the
unserved households. The amount Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– conference call number and conference
available will be published on the 9410, or email at program.intake@ ID number.
Agency web page once all budgetary usda.gov. Additional information can be Written comments may be mailed to
allocations have been completed. found online at https:// the Regional Program Unit Office, U.S.
Loan offers are limited to the funds www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program- Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S
available at the time of the Agency’s discrimination-complaint-usda- Dearborn St., Suite 2120, Chicago, IL
decision to approve an application. customer. 60604. They may also be faxed to the
Applications will not be accepted USDA is an equal opportunity Commission at (312) 353–8324 or may
after September 30, 2019, until a new provider, employer, and lender. be emailed to the Regional Director, Jeff
application opportunity has been Dated: October 24, 2018. Hinton at jhinton@usccr.gov. Records of
opened with the publication of an Christopher A. McLean, the meeting will be available via
additional NOSA in the Federal Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. www.facadatabase.gov under the
Register. Commission on Civil Rights, Florida
[FR Doc. 2018–24860 Filed 11–14–18; 8:45 am]
Advisory Committee link. Persons
Paperwork Reduction Act BILLING CODE P
interested in the work of this Committee
In accordance with the Paperwork are directed to the Commission’s
Reduction Act of 1995, the information website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may
collection requirements associated with COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS contact the Regional Program Unit at the
Broadband loans, as covered in this above email or street address.
Notice of Public Meeting of the Florida
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

NOSA, have been approved by the
Advisory Committee Agenda
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under OMB Control Number AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil Welcome and Introductions
0572–0130. Rights. Discussion: Civil Rights Issues in
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement ACTION: Announcement of meeting. Florida
In accordance with Federal civil SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, Public Comment
rights law and USDA civil rights pursuant to the provisions of the rules Adjournment

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Document Created: 2018-11-15 04:00:47
Document Modified: 2018-11-15 04:00:47

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 through September 30, 2019. RUS will process loan applications as they are received.
Contact		Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Origination 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		83 FR 57406

83 FR 57406 - Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURERural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 221 (November 15, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service