USDA to assist Rural Communities with getting access to high-Speed Internet

USDA to assist Rural Communities with getting access to high-Speed Internet

Includes up to $350 Million for Grants in Tribal and Socially Vulnerable Communities 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom  Vilsack today announced the Department has begun accepting applications for up to $1.15  billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. This  announcement comes on the heels of the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which  provides another nearly $2 billion in additional funding for the ReConnect program. USDA  anticipates issuing a new Notice of Funding Opportunity to make the additional funds in the  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law available in 2022. 

“High-speed internet is the new electricity,” Vilsack said. “It must be reliable, affordable and  available to everyone. The funding USDA is making available – through the current application  process and through the nearly $2 billion in additional funding that will be provided for this  program by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – will go a long way toward reaching this goal in  rural America. These are just two of the latest of many historic infrastructure investments the  Biden-Harris Administration is making. Expanding broadband availability in rural areas will help  create jobs, help farmers use precision agriculture technologies, expand access to health care and  educational services, and create economic opportunities for millions of rural Americans across  the country.” 

Background: ReConnect Program 

USDA is making $1.15 billion in funding available through the ReConnect Program starting  today. Eligible applicants are state, local or territory governments; corporations; Native  American Tribes; limited liability companies and cooperative organizations. 

This funding, which does not include the nearly $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure  Law, is available for projects that serve rural areas where at least 90 percent of the households  lack broadband service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps  (upload). USDA will give funding priority to projects that will serve people in low-density rural  areas and areas lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and 3  Mbps (upload). 

Applicants must commit to building facilities capable of providing broadband service at speeds  of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in a proposed service area at the same  time. In making funding decisions, USDA will also consider the economic needs of the  community to be served; the extent to which a provider will offer affordable service options; a  project’s commitment to strong labor standards; and whether a project is serving Tribal lands or  is submitted by a local government, Tribal government, non-profit or cooperative. 

Applications for funding must be submitted through USDA Rural Development’s online  application system on the ReConnect webpage. For additional information, see the Oct. 25, 2021,  Federal Register.  

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help  expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of  Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit  www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our  GovDelivery subscriber page. 

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on  more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring  access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams  of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making  historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and  committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a  workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov


State controller goes to court to block Leandro funding order

State controller goes to court to block Leandro funding order

Governor Cooper appoints Superior Court Judge for Mecklenburg County

Governor Cooper appoints Superior Court Judge for Mecklenburg County