Rural eConnectivity Program

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Part 1740 [Docket No. RUS-20-Telecom-0023] RIN 0572-AC51 AGENCY: Rural Utilities, USDA. ACTION: Final rule; confirmation and response to comments. SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on February 26, 2021, to establish the Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program). The final rule described the eligibility requirements, the application process, the criteria that RUS uses to assess applicants' creditworthiness and outlined the application process. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the public comments that addressed the broadband speed used to determine eligibility. DATES: The final rule published February 26, 2021, at 86 FR 11609 , is confirmed as of April 27, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Leverrier, Assistant Administrator; Telecommunication Program; Rural Development; U.S. Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Room 4121-S; Washington, DC 20250; telephone 202-720-3416, email laurel.leverrier@usda.gov . Persons with disabilities or who require alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target Center at 202-720-2600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ReConnect Program was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 ( Pub. L…