The U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping four states expand access to rural broadband services. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced this week that USDA would award loans to help provide broadband service in rural parts of California, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. Perdue says the investment “will connect rural communities to a digital future and will help expand access to high-speed internet, health care, educational and business services in rural communities.” The $43.6 million announced this week would add nearly 1,000 miles of fiber for broadband services. Of that, $24 million is for a project in Texas, and $9 million for a project in California.
USDA is providing the loans through the Rural Development Telecommunications Program. The program funds infrastructure and equipment to deliver broadband and distance learning and telemedicine services throughout rural America.
Source: NAFB News Service