The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering millions in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that USDA is making available up to $600 million dollars.
Perdue said telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for that funding. He said it is through the department’s “ReConnect” program, and is to be used to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service.
Perdue said “high-speed internet e-Connectivity is a necessity, not an amenity, vital for quality of life and economic opportunity.” He added that, “under the leadership of President Trump, USDA has worked to understand the true needs of rural communities.”
Secretary Perdue said USDA will make available $200 million for grants, $200 million for loans and grant combinations and $200 million for low-interest loans.
Application deadline is June 28, 2019.
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