The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $73 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Kansas, Oklahoma and New Hampshire. This funding is part of USDA’s round one investments through the ReConnect Pilot Program.
“The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now – as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency. Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband,” said Secretary Sonny Perdue. “I am so proud of our rural communities who have been working day in and day out, just like they always do, producing the food and fiber America depends on. We need them more than ever during these trying times, and expanding access to this critical infrastructure will help ensure rural America prospers for years to come.”
Totah Communications Inc. is receiving an $18.9 million loan and an $18.9 million grant to construct 621 miles of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband infrastructure. This award will extend broadband availability to 8,155 residents, 20 farms and 15 businesses in Rogers, Nowata, Washington and Osage counties in Oklahoma; and Montgomery and Chautauqua counties in Kansas.
Likewise, KanOkla Shidler LLC is receiving a $15 million loan and a $15 million grant to construct 251 miles of FTTP in Osage County, OK. This project will benefit 2,101 residents, 26 farms and 28 businesses.
Cross Cable Television LLC is receiving a $2.2 million USDA grant to construct a FTTP network in Le Flore and McIntosh counties in OK. This project will benefit 265 residents, 13 farms and six businesses.
Carnegie Telephone Company is receiving a $1.2 million loan to construct FTTP infrastructure in the town of Carnegie, OK, in Caddo County. This project will benefit 926 residents.
In New Hampshire, USDA is providing a $2 million loan to help Granite State Telephone Inc. build fiber to provide speeds up to 1 gigabyte downstream and 1 gigabyte upstream to rural subscribers in Hillsborough, Sullivan and Cheshire counties. The service area includes 890 households, an educational facility and a critical community facility.
Reader Interactions