Another round of funding for high-speed internet projects was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this month.
Nearly $700 million in funding through the ReConnect Program aims to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states to reliable, affordable high speed internet, according to USDA.
The funding will be provided through grants and loans to broadband providers undertaking the projects.
Texas is one of the states receiving funds.
Other projects will be funded in: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Marshall Islands.
ReConnect funding goes toward rural areas lacking access to service with download speeds of up to 100 megabits (Mbps) per second and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. All funding recipients must also participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program, a provision of the 2021 infrastructure law offering up to $30 in monthly discounts for internet service in qualifying low-income households or up to $75 for households on tribal lands.
“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 along the way,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “These investments will support economic growth and prosperity for generations to come.”
About $493 of the $667 million is being distributed as grants, while the remaining $174 is being provided for loans, according to USDA.
In Texas, three projects are receiving ReConnect program funds.
Legacy ISP LLC is receiving a loan for $21,102,150. This rural development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide highspeed internet. This network will benefit 10,367 people, 513 businesses, 29 farms and 39 educational facilities in Karnes and DeWitt counties in Texas. Legacy ISP LLC will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. This project will serve socially vulnerable communities in Karnes County.
Tatum Telephone County is receiving a grant for $1,451,770 and a loan for $1,451,770. This rural development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises and hybrid-fiber-coax network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 520 people, 25 businesses, one farm and two educational facilities in Panola County in Texas. Tatum Telephone Company will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program.
Poka-Lambro Telephone Cooperative Inc. was awarded a $24,645,351 grant. This rural development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises and fixed wireless (unlicensed) network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 238 people, six businesses, 39 farms and two educational facilities in Borden, Scurry and Fisher counties in Texas. Poka-Lambro Telephone Cooperative Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs.
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