A total of 11 states will split $5.2 million in broadband funding thanks to agreements between the USDA, rural cooperatives, local organizations, and Tribal leadership. The Broadband Technical Assistance Program will disburse the monies to projects in Texas, West Virginia, Alaska, Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska and New Mexico. Telecompetitor notes that Alaska, Idaho, and New Mexico will see two projects each.
“Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country,” remarked USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in a written statement. He added, “USDA is partnering with small towns, cooperatives, local utilities and private companies working to ensure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet. That’s how you grow the economy — not just in rural communities, but across the nation.”
Examples of the project the funds will support include $191,038 awarded to the Curators of the University of Missouri. The state intends to use these resources to support community planning and a broadband economic analysis study, as well as an environmental study, and a technical design study in Carter and Shannon counties.
Recipients in Texas will channel their funding through Ciomperlik Enterprises LLC. The $126,570 award will be used to prepare reports, feasibility studies, financial forecasts, market surveys, environmental studies and technical design to expand high-speed internet across 10 communities. The covered region includes Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, La Salle and Zavala counties, according to Telecompetitor.
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