The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced funding of $190.5 million to improve broadband and advanced telecommunications infrastructures for rural America.

The investments will provide broadband in areas that lack it, help rural-serving public television stations begin using digital broadcasts and support other telecommunications infrastructure improvement, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a USDA news release.

USDA is providing assistance through the Community Connect Grant program, the Public Television Digital Transition Grant program and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan program.

USDA is providing funding for 25 projects in rural America, which are contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of their grant or loan agreements.