U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $401 million for high-speed internet access for tens of thousands in rural American to provide the critical service in those areas.
The money, in grants and loans, is being spent in 11 states to provide access to high-speed internet for 31,000 residents and businesses in rural areas, according to a July 28 USDA news release.
"Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America," USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the news release. "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."
The residents and businesses who will benefit from the investment are "in large and diverse regions across the country" and they will be able to "access new and critical opportunities," Vilsack said, according to the release.
"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," he said in the release.
Rural areas in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nevada and Texas, including Tribal lands and socially vulnerable communities, are being targeted by the investment, the release reported.
This announcement included investments from USDA's rural broadband ReConnect Program and an award from USDA's Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program, the release reported. USDA also plans additional investments later this summer for rural high-speed internet, including ReConnect Program money set aside in last year's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which earmarked $65 billion for affordable, high-speed internet expansion.
