BANGOR — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites grant applications for two programs that fund broadband access.

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program helps organizations provide online training, education, and health services. It funds services, training, and equipment to digitally connect people to education, training, and health care resources. The ReConnect Program funds large-scale infrastructure projects. It is designed to bring high-speed internet to remote rural and Tribal communities. Although both programs are managed at the national level, Rural Development staff in Maine can help potential applicants get started.

“At USDA Rural Development, we are always looking to invest in projects that allow our dollars to have a multiplied benefit,” said USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson in a news release. “These telecom programs do that by providing access to high-speed internet and equipment, helping our students access educational opportunities, empowering health care providers to offer remote services to rural residents, and enabling small businesses to grow. The Biden-Harris Administration is helping Mainers to thrive in our small communities while embracing the future by funding this work.”

The DLT program helps organizations like schools, libraries, associations, and nonprofits pay for telecommunications technology. State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and other entities that provide education and health care are eligible to apply. They may use the funds to purchase audio, video, and interactive equipment, computer hardware, network components, software, broadband facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine, and to provide instructional programming. A 15% match is required. Applications for DLT grants must be submitted electronically through the application system at grants.gov no later than Monday, April 29.

The ReConnect Program helps pay for the costs to construct, improve, or purchase equipment and facilities to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. State and local governments, tribes, corporations, and cooperatives are among those eligible to apply. Nationwide, up to $150,000 is available for grants and up to $200,000 is available for loans in this round of funding.

Applications must be submitted at usda.gov/reconnect by 11:59 a.m. Tuesday, May 21.

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