USDA PROVIDES $60 MILLION TO IMPROVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE IN TEXAS, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA
Funds will help deploy new fiber and copper cable

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2003—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the awarding of four Rural Development loan packages that will improve telecommunication services in rural areas in Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“The Bush Administration is committed to investing in rural America,” said Veneman. “These loans will help support the rural infrastructure by providing reliable and affordable telephone and telecommunications services.”

“These loans will be used to deploy new fiber and copper cable, and make needed improvements to transmission systems in the three states,” said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr. “These funds will be used to serve more than 2,966 new customers, and deploy 1,069 miles of new fiber and copper cable.”

The following is a complete list of approved project dollars by state. A description of each funding recipient can be found at the USDA Rural Development web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov .

North Dakota - $20,274,850 South Dakota - $19,588,550 Texas - $20,462,750

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .

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