2023-09-01 09:06:12
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers, and entrepreneurs in 22 states and the Marshall Islands to an Internet of reliable and affordable high speed through the ReConnect Program, funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. This program is specially designed to finance the most difficult high-speed Internet projects in the country, which are the most rural, remote and underserved communities.
Connecting all of America’s communities to high-speed Internet is a critical part of President Biden’s Invest in America agenda. The agenda is driving more than $500 billion in private sector investment in manufacturing, rebuilding America’s infrastructure, cutting costs, and creating good-paying jobs. And it’s making it possible to reach communities in all corners of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind.
“Keeping rural America connected to reliable, high-speed Internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs along the way,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, we are connecting rural communities to a global marketplace. These investments will support economic growth and prosperity for generations to come,” he added.
Today’s high-speed Internet investments are part of the fourth round of funding for the ReConnect Program. Many rural residents and businesses would not have high-speed Internet service without this program, which is a key part of the administration’s Internet for All initiative to connect all Americans to high-speed Internet by 2030. The announcement Today includes $667 million in USDA investments in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Carolina South, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Marshall Islands.
Additionally, as part of USDA’s commitment to expand high-speed Internet access, Hood Canal Telephone Co. Inc. receives a $3.8 million loan through the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. This investment will help build 16 miles of fiber to provide high-speed Internet access to 800 homes and 10 businesses in Union, Washington.
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