<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.msonormal0, li.msonormal0, div.msonormal0
{mso-style-name:msonormal;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.footer-column
{mso-style-name:footer-column;}
span.footer-mobile-hidden
{mso-style-name:footer-mobile-hidden;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle23
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:350762672;
mso-list-template-ids:2026678804;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:953557872;
mso-list-template-ids:-1940647874;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:1337882630;
mso-list-template-ids:-1567079888;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3
{mso-list-id:1937249182;
mso-list-template-ids:1855625924;}
@list l3:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#E6E6E6" lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">FYI – received this announcement today…Sheri</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:.75pt">
<span style="font-size:1.0pt"><img width="1" height="1" style="width:.0083in;height:.0083in" id="_x0000_i1032" src="https://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=ab9c127a-e530-4d5f-a616-bdd2fcacd85d&a=1132339387098&c=c3c22e60-703e-11ea-801b-d4ae5292c973&ch=c3c32658-703e-11ea-801b-d4ae5292c973"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:#E6E6E6;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="612" style="width:459.0pt;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:11.25pt 3.75pt 11.25pt 3.75pt">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="background:#0071BC;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:#0071BC;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="mailto:press@usda.gov"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="600" height="215" style="width:6.25in;height:2.2416in" id="_x0000_i1033" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/adadfa4a701/d46f0569-6591-488d-b9f9-9087d5165a5b.jpg"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;background:#F8F8F8;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#0071BC">USDA to Make Up to $1.15 Billion Available to Help People Living in Rural Communities Access High-Speed Internet</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">Department Also Invests $50 Million to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for 7.6 Million People
in Rural Areas</span></i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">GENESEO, Ill., Oct. 22, 2021</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"> – U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back
Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country – the middle class.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">“For too long, the ‘digital divide’ has left too many people living in rural communities behind: unable to compete in the global economy and unable to access
the services and resources that all Americans need,” Vilsack said. “As we build back better than we were before, the actions I am announcing today will go a long way toward ensuring that people who live or work in rural areas are able to tap into the benefits
of broadband, including access to specialized health care, educational opportunities and the global marketplace. Rural people, businesses and communities must have affordable, reliable, high-speed internet so they can fully participate in modern society and
the modern economy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">Background: ReConnect Program</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">Secretary Vilsack spoke about USDA’s commitment to helping rural Americans get improved access to broadband and health care during a visit to the newly renovated
emergency department at Hammond Henry Hospital. The project was financed in part by a USDA loan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">He announced that on November 24 USDA will begin accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband
in rural areas. USDA is making the funding available through the <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1rQAG6NLDkn_Fx63JMK2VlxGgkyz538JACLJFUKUZ0qJzG5sKIIsL1p9s76Jb6CMZXgqn0mECBtb-tFZJY_nipOFgBBl9AqWxQ%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627033633%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=xqZ3hZoy96sV3t0%2Bu5nND1C53wuWi4kcwkBBUeig7Fs%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">ReConnect Program</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area without broadband service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download)
and 20 Mbps (upload), and commit to building facilities capable of providing broadband service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area. In making funding decisions, USDA will prioritize projects that will
serve low-density rural areas with locations lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload). In making funding decisions, the USDA will also consider, among other things, the economic needs of the community to
be served; the extent which a provider will offer affordable service options; a project’s commitment to strong labor standards; and whether a project is serving tribal lands or is submitted by a local government, Tribal Government, non-profit or cooperative.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">USDA has simplified the application process and has expanded the program significantly. For example, ReConnect will now offer 100 percent grants for certain
projects on tribal lands and in socially vulnerable communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">The Department plans to make available up to $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, up to $250 million in loan/grant combinations, up to $350 million in grants
with a 25 percent matching requirement, and up to $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">For additional information on the upcoming ReConnect Program funding opportunity, see the Oct. 22, 2021,
<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1iaJ65rH7Bq8iL2qVAdotb0tmQw2gBC6THh8nfwWGmD5p7OnxgyfbWTt2YSagZXtdqMru5nKvAfGkBhx9Hpztk3cYh8Mcicx1rdgl3005JI-1YkbyZuAoLIDtAKbPsHfoKDjorgmwtC7%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627053547%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rByDT%2BbvqJhZe1U0pbTpsA0xoU7XgdG6CD1boe1Zh%2Bs%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">Federal Register</span></a> (PDF, 319 KB). Once the application window opens, applications must be submitted through USDA Rural Development’s online application system on the
<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1rQAG6NLDkn_Fx63JMK2VlxGgkyz538JACLJFUKUZ0qJzG5sKIIsL1p9s76Jb6CMZXgqn0mECBtb-tFZJY_nipOFgBBl9AqWxQ%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627053547%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=jgS8Vdsp0PnFkqEj2hg6rEV1x3%2FmB6j0C7YdZMN9D4U%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">ReConnect webpage</span></a>. All required materials for completing an application are included in the online system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit
<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1rQAG6NLDkn_Fx63JMK2VlxGgkyz538JACLJFUKUZ0qJzG5sKIIsL1p9s76Jb6CMZXgqn0mECBtb-tFZJY_nipOFgBBl9AqWxQ%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627063502%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=56HPiKBNUjpk7hX50v%2F9PzkLpdjwktd16eDzXxBEUig%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">www.usda.gov/reconnect</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality
of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and
high-poverty areas. For more information, visit <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1i9pHg7qIdoeRY-sZACVlRZk5bsRZ__YJMplgiW8u_QbmfSSk71Xsp9CjehIQDD-ppdHABMTwHfJEWgXUsw6735YOttN2xxq6w%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627063502%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QC5jAfKnq76nzV06o%2BaOgZtj2YtOOCXyd%2Byx9ReL4tI%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">www.rd.usda.gov</span></a>. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our
<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1oLBsE-XhhGsYEFMx6WSgiYx1RO4a7PLC8sHVrx0e03nWJNWSbaPY4_IYwAEg-kgpDDl6uuwCF15_Rg6MhUJcge2Z3rbiXWgRT7HkEPua4EabGiQcg3EQS5BgMyPiv649z7gBGkSBBNpPpaq2wtAcAGL8nulg-HcjNBbGkF9xdXBm5YgWuQzDTWEUwMUhiCKUA%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627073459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=1FJS8IU0Da0C6jBBDlpQt16GFrQIqiU51bN96C6QgGk%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">GovDelivery subscriber page</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with
a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart
food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.
To learn more, visit <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1l-RerUxP5MwUQNVrUiuWfzAaoLsWU2FuOSbCjB7RME9jwfS20PPPVRz8AT1sKxy2ijcUAyfP5RCxJyrzz6yTEA%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627073459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=4OSg%2BmCDvYeZMkGjAERuCM5Np8KHZDQZ3Rd51SFPd%2BY%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#0071BC">www.usda.gov</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#403F42">#<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;min-width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 15.0pt 7.5pt 15.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1qW6BzWLkzQhU4dEJrMMVzDs_GJSObAhwrBZR0W0_2luYzd0Vsp2KkMgJ9IrVd7y6bmOu4hdazxViwKTfziGhoIS3ciRQzG1Dg%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627083416%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=j737pQVV%2BlB5GGH83Appd0%2FxWeYu1EhZQoOPrPu7gTA%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="_x0000_i1034" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/facebook-visit-default-circle.png" alt="Facebook">
</span></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1maXzivIdZgu4ABxD3sEz5SPDlHUIr2P2XnzSRlVfY1srThdfh0oCVXrH_XZ1ZTUVbVr4UQgJfrlTyQSsnvxLGtJ2EAcR9CSjg%3D%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627083416%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=OFAB3xmn0rYn%2Bh752whfPG5blJozumg41MaIGKt%2Fk7c%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="_x0000_i1035" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/twitter-visit-default-circle.png" alt="Twitter">
</span></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1qW6BzWLkzQhGu2VOF_KvG9YZH1g7c1zZnontvq6wx2UUdM_u_nU-jWxF_1afsmLV1EU-nFZqayQHBLcsou4gVrO8d-c-KGJQBKeMx4JJdeQ%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627093370%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=jvdzBb4X2GdCSanmP5RADQa2PKpR0HVJv%2BCQwfNQzko%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="_x0000_i1036" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/instagram-visit-default-circle.png" alt="Instagram">
</span></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1maXzivIdZgu-3tYa_YWkRqOtjVCgWwEdGaJ42NoyqSdzn62O8vVzrzpzxURlh_ONzlykxQPTpSj-ytPgp0dJDHm2DcYhBNKaVbgYh_yd674%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627093370%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=zlZ%2FYuX8WHSkqCwZIAbXLLRIiT7wSrT9QAFK1Ejp7no%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="_x0000_i1037" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/youtube-visit-default-circle.png" alt="YouTube">
</span></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001lmkfDLT97CqcJmIc57gZnhm3lfrtXn5kQbw6CXd6zhJUHONPQu4i1tBZChVYTjFiCLuQWiV5uZxeSDBeIc9SfBCsNTRgufc2tJ-yk0W7aII-h9kf1iInby_yegS9_73jOPoTofd5MRYU1QF_MYlcLceJfIMrI1zAI7A5EMhXPbA%3D%26c%3DCjZu0Xx0a_3Dfmx-BBEeMWMDUI3gda9fMkOaDpfPG_JMu2C19FCPsw%3D%3D%26ch%3D5p_UefHHrWrC0pAmfBnMhryFtNk0P9hWU2XLBwiCVsR5pmjPCma-HQ%3D%3D&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627103327%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=SzgEypLT5qHeyv3wwZ%2B43BX%2BzgGFCM9oOKxXJXRX5Ms%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="_x0000_i1038" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/linkedin-visit-default-circle.png" alt="LinkedIn">
</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:12.0pt 0in 12.0pt 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="max-width:459.0pt;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="footer-column"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">Department of Agriculture</span></span><span class="footer-mobile-hidden"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">
| </span></span><span class="footer-column"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">1400 Independence Ave., S.W.</span></span><span class="footer-mobile-hidden"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">,
</span></span><span class="footer-column"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">Washington, DC 20250</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D"><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvisitor.constantcontact.com%2Fdo%3Fp%3Doo%26m%3D001fMW_vJ_WEGXFASOECwQI7Q%253D%26ch%3Dc3c32658-703e-11ea-801b-d4ae5292c973%26ca%3Dab9c127a-e530-4d5f-a616-bdd2fcacd85d&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627113282%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=eAbD%2FxwEkvIoz1it9fysgK76saRneATE%2Fg5p7AfgimQ%3D&reserved=0"><span style="color:#5D5D5D">Update
Profile</span></a> | <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.constantcontact.com%2Flegal%2Fcustomer-contact-data-notice&data=04%7C01%7C%7C71791c0da9cc4f12961308d99568cdc5%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637705099627123240%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8PktlkaESyCBpT5skADy5dmdmzEs%2FUIxGeTI4x3blaw%3D&reserved=0">
<span style="color:#5D5D5D">Constant Contact Data Notice</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#5D5D5D">Sent by
<a href="mailto:feedback@oc.usda.gov"><span style="color:#5D5D5D;text-decoration:none">feedback@oc.usda.gov</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ReConnect Program Webinars FY2022</span></u></b><u><o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Interested to learn more about our Rural Development ReConnect Program? USDA will host four webinars covering the ReConnect Program Regulation and the recently announced ReConnect Program FY2022 Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ReConnect Program Regulation Webinar </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We will present this webinar twice. The second presentation will provide the same information as the first one; no new information will be added to the second session. Please register for the session that's most
convenient for you.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 2:00PM to 3:30PM Eastern</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3JlZ2lzdGVyLmdvdG93ZWJpbmFyLmNvbS9yZWdpc3Rlci84OTM0MDg1NDQ4NTUwNjI3MDg3In0.hCQaOJKklpVznlbsfpZX2w0qVqdhWlCYLqApd30Gc_w/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Register
here!</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 2:00PM to 3:30PM Eastern</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3JlZ2lzdGVyLmdvdG93ZWJpbmFyLmNvbS9yZWdpc3Rlci8zNDI5MTkwMjY4NTc4NzgzNzU5In0.eagmlZz82AwOIanJ6NNX9B4UPUx0migkX6Z_MLFYsi0/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Register
here!</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ReConnect Program FY2022 FOA Webinar </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We will present this information twice. The second presentation will provide the same information as the first one; no new information will be added to the second session. Please register for the session that's
most convenient for you.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 2:00PM to 3:30PM Eastern</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3JlZ2lzdGVyLmdvdG93ZWJpbmFyLmNvbS9yZWdpc3Rlci85MTQ4MjEwOTQwMDI4MTY4MjA3In0.a6cbr3V_7491MW0sNYmWOai7fmoUCGn4_yAQg2esxhI/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Register
here!</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 2:00PM to 3:30PM Eastern</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3JlZ2lzdGVyLmdvdG93ZWJpbmFyLmNvbS9yZWdpc3Rlci81ODg3ODA3MTE5OTUxNDU3MDM5In0.ceB0DfcZ4FJo5-YGFMfsV6T8F5nKtkAJi-8oHECJ0S8/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Register
here!</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Slides, a transcript, and a recording of each webinar will be posted on the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QifQ.sLzn15pIEHz0qMCQGJBdN4FmCfoqsKogwfzYneCXCt8/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
ReConnect website</a> after each session.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">You can also find registration links at the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QvZXZlbnRzIn0.6spGBeXXt21Pg6daJEnV750WvEdoAjkmbOY_lKRvzxE/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
events page</a> on the ReConnect website.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ReConnect Program Regulation Webinar</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Presented by USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service, this webinar will provide information about the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb3ZpbmZvLmdvdi9jb250ZW50L3BrZy9GUi0yMDIxLTAyLTI2L3BkZi8yMDIxLTAzNDQzLnBkZiJ9.HgNsrXyviOMeQy3mrrtJi0tenWJeREwEh1ug310rAb0/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
ReConnect Program regulation</a> published on February 26, 2021. This rule describes the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the criteria that will be used by USDA to assess applicants' creditworthiness.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This webinar will include:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">An overview of the ReConnect Program regulation requirements</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">A high-level look at eligibility requirements</span>
<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The application submission process and key evaluation criteria</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">An opportunity to ask questions about the regulation</span>
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ReConnect Program FY2022 FOA Webinar</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">On Monday, October 25, 2021, USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service issued a
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mZWRlcmFscmVnaXN0ZXIuZ292L2RvY3VtZW50cy8yMDIxLzEwLzI1LzIwMjEtMjMxMjgvcnVyYWwtZWNvbm5lY3Rpdml0eS1wcm9ncmFtIn0.O9EKCCBJu4GDDDPd-C2C7-sZ2nG4NVAUVpTef4F2-pM/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)</a> announcing that it will begin accepting applications for fiscal year 2022 for the Rural eConnectivity Program (or ReConnect Program). The application window will open on November 24, 2021. In addition, this announcement
also details the requirements that have been established based on feedback from the public comment period that closed on April 27, 2021 (as outlined in the regulation).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">To support the application process, staff from USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service will conduct a webinar on the funding announcement.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The webinar will include:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">An awards update from previous rounds</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Program requirements and scoring criteria for this FOA</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">An opportunity to ask questions about program requirements and scoring criteria</span>
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Additional Information</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">RUS encourages you to submit questions about the regulation or the FOA ahead of each webinar;
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Zvcm1zLm9mZmljZS5jb20vcGFnZXMvcmVzcG9uc2VwYWdlLmFzcHg_aWQ9NXpaYjdlNEJ2RTZHZnVBOC1nMUdsOHVUTS02R3lOUkdzWkd4ZVZWMWRPUlVOMWs0UjBoV00wMVZSVEZSVlRoRFRVSlhSbEkzT1ZCRlFTUWxRQ04wUFdjdSJ9.Dc8gLyWkt1dgOL91gA1D2qAhF-3q2eGlqkdhtnAsHyQ/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
please submit them through this form</a>. We'll address questions as time permits during each session; we'll include the most common ones on our
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QvZnJlcXVlbnRseS1hc2tlZC1xdWVzdGlvbnMifQ.-KJUFmBvJniciZSqBREzYEizUacBi5PVFKvGh5ukdZc/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
frequently asked questions page</a> on the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QifQ.O7ARiTR1Z17c9_yURM90NYFege725IdPRzaj5GPQLP4/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
ReConnect website</a> (link here: <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QifQ.aoW7d6Xkzie_rK77QY40Yiax6sqPNvG2bYF3jiQHUC0/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
https://www.usda.gov/reconnect</a>). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Contact</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Please submit all other ReConnect questions using the
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMjYuNDc5MzIwOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy51c2RhLmdvdi9yZWNvbm5lY3QvY29udGFjdC11cyJ9.nQLLv7Rt4qWTyJWsSqk22aayOC-nF7BYNKjjAYR-AL0/s/1512935193/br/114666673066-l" target="_blank">
Contact Us Form</a> on the ReConnect website.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil
or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>