USDA $1.15 Billion in Part for High-Speed Internet

Tom Vilsack, Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care and education services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Beginning November 24th the USDA will begin accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to expand the availability of broadband in rural areas. This funding is available through the ReConnect Program.

In order to be eligible for this funding the company applicant must serve and area with broadband service speeds below 100 megabits download and 20mbps upload. They also must commit to build facilities capable of providing broadband services at those speeds. USDA says that when making funding decisions they will prioritize projects that will serve low-density rural areas with internet speeds below 25 mbps download and 3mbps upload.

The breakdown of this $1.15 billion is as follows. $200m to ReConnect Program loans, $250 loan/grant combinations, $350 million in grants with 25% matching, and $350 million with no match requirements for projects in tribal and socially vulnerable communities.