Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe announced USDA has invested $5.13 million in two separate high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for more than 675 rural households in Utah and western Colorado. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“Both of these projects are providing critical communications investments in some truly rural areas of Utah and Colorado,” Rupe said. “Through USDA’s ReConnect program, these counties will get access to the latest broadband technology, and that will have a positive economic impact for the farms and ranches, small businesses and families that live in these communities. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to this strong partnership with rural communities in deploying this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Beehive Telephone Company, Inc. based in Lake Point, Utah, is receiving $2.4 million to develop a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in Garfield, Wayne and Box Elder counties. This investment is anticipated to impact 141 households, eight farms and ranches, seven small businesses, and both the school and fire department in Snowville, Utah.
Emery Telecommunications & Video, Inc., based in Orangeville, Utah, is receiving $2.7 million to develop an FTTP network in San Juan County in Utah and Dolores County, Colorado. This investment is anticipated to impact 528 households, 20 farms and ranches, 15 small businesses, as well as the fire department, Sheriff’s office and schools in Dove Creek, Colo.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the
Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB) (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the
Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB) (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit
www.rd.usda.gov.
Source : USDA