The USDA Announced $173 Million for Rural High-Speed Internet
USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced nearly $173 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in the Dakotas and eight other states to reliable high-speed internet. Projects are being financed by the fifth round of the ReConnect Program. This initiative is a central part of the Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy.
The ReConnect Program is designed to fund the nation’s most difficult high-speed internet projects, which are in the most rural, remote and unserved communities. The announced investments will connect people to high-speed internet in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia.
Recipients include:
>> North Dakota is receiving more than $22 million. This project will benefit 426 people, 16 businesses, 104 farms and three schools in Sioux County, North Dakota and Corson County, South Dakota.
>> In Arizona, Table Top Telephone Company Inc. receives a nearly $4 million loan to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 766 people, 21 businesses and 39 farms in Yavapai County.
>> In New Mexico, Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative receives a $29 million loan to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 323 people, 12 businesses and 261 farms in Chaves, De Baca, Lea and Roosevelt counties.
>> In Virginia, Pembroke Telephone Cooperative is receiving a $10 million loan to provide high-speed internet that will benefit 2,127 people, 22 businesses and 130 farms in Craig, Giles and Montgomery counties.