The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $401 million investment in high-speed internet access for rural communities across the United States.
The new investment will provide high-speed internet access to 31,000 rural residents and businesses in 11 different states across the country.
“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The internet is vital to our growth and continues to act as a catalyst for our prosperity. From the farm to the school, from households to international markets, connectivity drives positive change in our communities.”
“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA knows rural America is America’s backbone, and prosperity here means prosperity for all,” said Vilsack.
This investment includes a group of investments from the ReConnect Program, which saw funding from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law.
Organizations that will receive funding to help in this endeavor include Uprise LLC, which will be tasked with deploying fiber optics cables in rural Nevada.
Additionally, Midvale Telephone Company will also deal with fiber optics in states such as Idaho and Arizona. The Arkansas Telephone Company Inc. will also deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network in several counties.
