PRYOR, ROSS ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANTS FOR ASMSA AND UACCH.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor:

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) announced today that the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts (ASMSA) in Hot Springs and the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope will each receive federal grants under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. The program provides access to education, training and health care resources in rural areas.

ASMSA will receive $335,373 and UACCH will receive $370,860. The two schools were among 106 projects in 38 states and one territory selected to receive more than $34.7 million in grants to fund educational projects and expand access to health care services in rural areas.

"Schools like ASMSA and UACCH are helping more Arkansans experience the benefits of telemedicine and distance learning," said Ross. "The Internet continues to open doors and create new opportunities for rural Americans, particularly in medicine and education. That's why I will continue to fight for more broadband access in Arkansas to support projects like these at ASMSA and UACCH."

"Access to education and health care is critical for rural communities to grow and thrive," Pryor said. "This investment will help ASMSA and UACCH improve educational opportunities for rural schools and lift up communities."

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and nearly 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

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