# Special Authority To Enable Funding of Broadband and Smart Utility Facilities Across Select Rural Development Programs
> **Rural Utilities Service** · Final rule; request for comments. · Published 2020-09-15 · Effective 2020-09-15 · 85 FR 57077
## Document
- **Document number:** 2020-19033
- **Category:** rural-development
- **Sub-agency:** Rural Utilities Service
- **Federal Register citation:** 85 FR 57077
- **CFR reference:** 7 CFR 1710
- **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.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/15/2020-19033/special-authority-to-enable-funding-of-broadband-and-smart-utility-facilities-across-select-rural)
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