Special Authority To Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs
rural-development · Rural Utilities Service · Rule · Published 2020-09-15 · Effective 2020-09-15 · 85 FR 57077
Document
Document number
2020-19033
Federal Register citation
85 FR 57077
CFR reference
7 CFR 1710
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Category
rural-development
Sub-agency
Rural Utilities Service
Publication date
2020-09-15
Effective date
2020-09-15
USDA docket
Docket Numbers: RUS-20-TELECOM-0022
Abstract
The Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service, agencies that comprise the Rural Development Mission Area within the United States Department of Agriculture, are issuing this final rule to establish the authority authorized by Section 6210 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which will assist rural families and small businesses in gaining access to broadband service by permitting recipients of a loan, grant, or loan guarantee from RD to use up to 10 percent of the amount provided to construct broadband infrastructure in areas not served by minimum acceptable level of broadband service. This rule describes the procedures by which these agencies will consider projects eligible for special broadband authority.