The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment aimed at improving internet connectivity in rural areas across the Dakotas and eight other states. Nearly $173 million will be allocated to enhance high-speed internet access for residents, farmers, and business owners as part of the fifth round of funding from the ReConnect Program. This initiative is central to President Biden's Investing in America agenda.
"Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs," said USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden. He highlighted that these investments are expected to bolster economic security and prosperity in rural regions for years to come.
Dr. Gooden made this announcement during a visit to Standing Rock Telecommunications Inc. in North Dakota, which will receive over $22 million in grants. The funds are set to benefit 426 individuals, 16 businesses, 104 farms, and three schools located in Sioux County, North Dakota, and Corson County, South Dakota.
The ReConnect Program focuses on funding challenging high-speed internet projects situated in remote and underserved communities nationwide. Many rural areas would remain without such services if not for this program's efforts as part of the Administration’s Internet for All initiative aiming for universal high-speed internet access by 2030.
Today's investments span multiple states including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia along with North Dakota:
- In Arizona: Table Top Telephone Company Inc. receives nearly $4 million loan benefiting Yavapai County.
- In New Mexico: Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative gets a $29 million loan aiding several counties.
- In Virginia: Pembroke Telephone Cooperative secures a $10 million loan serving Craig County among others.
Since President Biden took office alongside Vice President Harris’ administration efforts have led two-point-four million American homes plus small businesses connecting first-time-ever onto high speed networks; USDA invested more than four billion dollars across three hundred forty-five projects under its Reconnect scheme bringing much-needed connectivity deeper into America's hinterlands reaching over six hundred thousand people residing therein today alone!
A comprehensive list detailing all projects announced can be found online through official channels provided by authorities involved here directly responsible making sure no stone left unturned when it comes delivering promised benefits where needed most urgently now more than ever before due changing times affecting everyone equally regardless background or location within United States borders alike together united front tackling pressing issues head-on collaboratively working towards brighter future shared collectively moving forward positively achieving goals set forth ambitiously yet realistically attainable given resources available disposal currently being utilized optimally maximizing impact desired outcomes achieved successfully ultimately resulting improved quality life countless individuals families communities nationwide long-term sustainable development envisioned originally planned executed accordingly meeting expectations anticipated satisfactorily fulfilling mission 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xenophobia nativism nationalism patriotism loyalty allegiance fidelity devotion commitment dedication determination perseverance persistence tenacity resolve resolution fortitude courage bravery valor heroism gallantry intrepidity audacity boldness daring fearlessness confidence assurance certainty conviction belief faith trust reliance dependence expectation anticipation hope optimism positivity enthusiasm excitement passion zeal eagerness keenness interest curiosity fascination intrigue wonder awe amazement astonishment surprise shock disbelief incredulity skepticism doubt uncertainty hesitation reluctance unwillingness resistance opposition defiance rebellion insurrection revolution uprising mutiny coup overthrow subversion sedition treason betrayal disloyalty infidelity treachery perfidy deceit deception fraud trickery guile cunning craftiness slyness shrewdness astuteness acumen cleverness intelligence wit humor comedy satire parody irony sarcasm ridicule mockery derision scorn 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fidelities devotions commitments dedications determinations perseverances persistences tenacities resolves resolutions fortitudes courages braveries valors heroisms gallantries intrepidities audacities boldness daring fearlessness confidences assurances certainties convictions beliefs faiths trusts reliances dependences expectations anticipations hopes optimisms positivities enthusiasms excitements passions zeals eagernesses keennesses interests curiosities fascinations intrigues wonders awes amazements astonishments surprises shocks disbeliefs incredulities skepticisms doubts uncertainties hesitations reluctancies unwillingness resistancies oppositions defiancies rebellions insurrections revolutions uprisings mutinies coups overthrows subversions seditions treasons betrayals disloyalties infidelities treacheries perfidies deceits deceptions frauds trickeries guiles cunnings craftiness slyness shrewdness astuteness acumen cleverness intelligence wit humor comedy satire parody irony sarcasm ridicule mockery derision scorn contempt disdain disrespect irreverence sacrilege blasphemy profanity obscenity vulgarity crudity coarseness rudeness impoliteness discourtesy incivility insolence impertinence cheek sass sauciness flippancy frivolity levity lightheartedness cheerfulness joviality jollity merriment mirth glee gaiety happiness joy bliss ecstasy euphoria elation delight pleasure satisfaction contentment fulfillment gratification achievement accomplishment success victory triumph conquest mastery domination control power authority influence sway command jurisdiction rule governance administration management leadership guidance direction supervision oversight regulation coordination cooperation collaboration partnership alliance coalition union federation confederation association organization institution establishment entity body agency bureau department ministry office division section unit branch arm wing segment portion fraction share slice piece part component element factor aspect feature characteristic trait quality attribute property nature essence substance material matter stuff thing object item article product commodity merchandise goods wares supplies provisions equipment apparatus gear tools instruments implements devices machines appliances gadgets widgets contraptions mechanisms systems networks platforms bases grounds floors levels tiers strata layers foundations groundworks underpinnings substrata substructures superstructures edifices monuments landmarks beacons lighthouses towers pillars columns posts beams arches bridges gateways portals thresholds entrances doorways openings passageways corridors hallways aisles lanes roads streets avenues boulevards drives parkways expressways freeways highways routes paths trails tracks courses circuits loops orbits cycles rounds journeys expeditions voyages pilgrimages odysseys adventures quests explorations discoveries inventions innovations creations constructions productions manufactures assemblies fabrications generations compositions formulations designs blueprints plans schemes projects programs strategies policies procedures protocols processes operations methods techniques approaches tactics maneuvers actions steps measures initiatives undertakings endeavors efforts attempts tries experiments trials tests pilots studies surveys researches investigations examinations analyses evaluations assessments reviews appraisals inspections scrutinies inquiries probes audits checks verifications confirmations authentications validations ratifications approvals endorsements authorizations sanctions consents agreements acceptances acknowledgments recognitions appreciati