USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says the agency is investing $401 million to provide access to high-speed internet for 31,000 rural residents and businesses in 11 states.
The funds come from the ReConnect Program and an award through the USDA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” Vilsack says.
“The internet is vital to our growth and continues to act as a catalyst for our prosperity.” The secretary also said from the farm to the school, from households to international markets, connectivity drives “positive change.”
USDA will support internet investments in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas.
The Department also says it will make more investments for rural high-speed internet later this summer, including ReConnect Program funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law, which provides $65 billion to expand affordable high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.