The following press release was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on October 22, 2021. Department Also Invests $50 Million to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for 7.6 Million People in Rural Areas GENESEO, Ill., Oct. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health …
USDA Reviewing Applications From 41 States to Expand Rural Broadband in Second Round of ReConnect Pilot Program
The following was a stakeholder announcement issued by the USDA on April 22, 2020 WASHINGTON, April 22, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand today announced that USDA has received 172 applications requesting $1.57 billion in the second round of the ReConnect Pilot Program. The applications seek funding to provide or upgrade rural broadband serviceacross 41 …
USDA Extends ReConnect Application Deadline to March 31
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced USDA has extended the deadline (PDF, 245 KB) for ReConnect Pilot Program applications to March 31. “By extending the ReConnect Program application deadline, we are helping even more qualified organizations access the essential funding to make high-speed broadband connectivity a …
WEBINAR: The USDA Answers Your Questions on Funding for Rural Broadband
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun taking applications for the second round of $550 million in ReConnect Program in grants and loans for rural broadband expansion. But there have been questions from state and local leaders, small internet service providers, and community stakeholders about how to apply and who would qualify for this funding. That’s why Connected Nation recently …
Mark Your Calendars, USDA to Open the Application Window for the Second Round of ReConnect Program Funding Friday
The following is a press release published by the USDA on January 27, 2020 WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced USDA will begin taking applications for the second round of $550 million in ReConnect Program loan and grant funding on January 31. These funds will enable the federal government to continue …
An Increased Federal Focus on Ubiquitous Broadband
Washington, D.C. (June 14, 2019) – This quarter has seen a flurry of broadband legislation and programs aimed at increasing high-speed internet access and adoption across the country. Our policy team tracks these developments closely as we work to get broadband deployed in even the most unserved of communities. Below are just a few of the items we are following: …
What is the USDA Reconnect Program and What Can It Do for You?
Bowling Green, KY. (May 31, 2019) – In December 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled their newest loan and grant program titled the “ReConnect Program,” which aims to provide broadband resources to rural, unserved areas across the country. The program defines broadband as 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload, and the funds will be divided into three pools—$200 …
USDA opens application portal for new ReConnect Rural Broadband Infrastructure Program
Published by Dairy Business on April 26th, 2019 Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program. These funds will enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with …
Rural Broadband Funding: New Deadlines, Planning for Investment
Bowling Green, KY (April 25, 2019) – The USDA has extended the deadline for grant applications to its ReConnect Program. The program is focused on efforts that will expand broadband in rural America. The first round of applications are now due on May 31. In this first round of funding, USDA is making available at least $600 million in rural broadband projects, …
