WISDOM, Mont., Feb. 24, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Charles Robison joined Rep. Greg Gianforte to announce USDA has invested $3.3 million in a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 142 homes, businesses, farms and ranches in Beaverhead County. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“President Trump has made rural broadband access a top priority,” Robison said. “The businesses and ranches in Beaverhead County that will get connected through USDA’s investment will be able to expand their everyday operations. E-connectivity is vital to rural prosperity, and when rural Montana thrives, all of Montana thrives.”
Rep. Gianforte added, “Improving Montanans’ access to dependable broadband is critical to our rural communities. It will further empower our farmers, ranchers, small business owners and Montanans who want to work remotely. I appreciate the efforts of Secretary Perdue and the Trump administration to increase broadband access through the ReConnect Program. I’ll continue working to ensure our rural and frontier communities have reliable high-speed broadband, which will create more opportunities and improve access to health care.”
Southern Montana Telephone Company (SMT) will use a $3.3 million ReConnect Program grant to construct a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Beaverhead County. The 1,688-square-mile service area includes 109 households, 26 farms and ranches, seven businesses and the Grant Fire Station.
Improved broadband access in Beaverhead County will make a significant impact on agricultural and small businesses. Farmers and ranchers will be able to monitor their operations in real time and use high-speed internet to buy, sell or trade livestock.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding opened on Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close on March 16, 2020.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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