104 STAT. 4026 PUBLIC LAW 101-624—NOV. 28, 1990 " (D) TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION FACILITIES.— The term 'telecommunications transmission facilities' means facilities (other than telecommunications terminal equipment) that transmit, receive, or carry signals between the telecommunications terminal equipment at each end of a telecommunications circuit or path. "(6) TREATMENT OF LOAN PROGRAM AS DESIGNATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. —For purposes of this title, the loan program established under this subsection shall, with respect to eligible States (within the meaning of section 365(b)(3)), be treated as a designated rural development program (within the meaning of section 365(b)(2)). "(7) LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— "(A) IN GENERAL.—For loans under this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. "(B) AVAILABILITY. —Amounts appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall remain available until expended.". Subtitle £—Rural Business and Emergency Assistance SEC. 2341. LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. Section 306(a)(ll) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(ll)) is amended to read as follows: "(llXAXi) The Secretary may make grants, not to exceed $15,000,000 annually, to public bodies, private nonprofit community development corporations or entities, or such other agencies as the Secretary may select to enable such recipients— "(I) to identify and analyze business opportunities, including opportunities in export markets, that will use local rural economic and human resources; "(II) to identify, train, and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers; "(III) to establish business support centers and otherwise assist in the creation of new rural businesses, the development of methods of financing local businesses, and enhancing the capacity of local individuals and entities to engage in sound economic activities; and "(IV) to conduct regional, community, and local economic development planning and coordination, and leadership development, "(ii) In awarding such grants, the Secretary shall consider, among other criteria to be established liy the Secretary— "(I) the extent to which the applicant provides development services in its rural service area; and "(II) the capability of the applicant to carry out the purposes of this section, "(iii) The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that assistance provided under this subsection is coordinated with and delivered in cooperation with similar services or assistance provided to rural residents by the Extension Service or other Federal agencies.
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