The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $502 million in loans and grants to provide high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in 20 states, including Texas.
USDA is making 32 awards in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. Many of the awards will help rural people and businesses on Tribal lands and people in socially vulnerable communities.
In Texas, four companies received funds.
Blossom Telephone Company
Loan: $2,283,570
Grant: $2,283,570
This investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 982 people, 14 businesses and 93 farms to high-speed internet in Lamar and Red River counties. Blossom Telephone Company will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Lifeline Program.
Big Bend Telephone Company Inc.
Grant: $24,018,756
This investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 98 people, one business and five farms to high-speed internet in Presidio and Terrell counties. Big Bend Telephone Company Inc. will make highspeed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs. This project will serve socially vulnerable communities in Presidio County.
Taylor Telephone Company
Loan: $16,337,880
Grant: $16,337,880
This investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 1,060 people, 20 businesses and 450 farms to high-speed internet in Coleman, Nolan, Runnels and Taylor counties. Taylor Telephone Cooperative Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
Totelcom Communications LLC
Grant: $3,872,775
This investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 299 people, nine businesses, 85 farms, and one educational facility to high-speed internet in Comanche County. Totelcom Communications Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program by providing low-income consumers who qualify up to $30 in monthly service credit.
The funding is available through the ReConnect Program.
USDA has announced $858 million in the third round of ReConnect funding so far and plans to make more investment announcements under this program in the coming weeks. Today’s announcement follows the department’s July 28 announcement that it has invested $356 million through the ReConnect Program to help rural residents and businesses in 11 states gain access to high-speed internet.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.