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 …

North Carolina Broadband Bill to Help Rural Areas

Published by News 13 WLOS on May 31, 2019 By Rex Hodge SWAIN COUNTY, N.C.–Getting broadband to rural areas like our mountains takes a big step forward in Raleigh. The House signed off on a Senate bill that facilitates high speed internet access through electric cooperatives’ infrastructure.That would mean quicker internet speeds for places like Darnell Farms in Swain county. …

Alabama Bill Expanding Broadband to Rural Communities Signed Into Law

Published by WVUA 23 on May 31, 2019 Alabama took a major step in expanding its broadband internet service in rural communities across the state this week. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Rural Broadband Initiative into law Thursday. Started by the legislature last year, the bill will expand an existing grant program under the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. “Each day …

High-Speed Internet Access Critical for Students and Job Seekers

Published by Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise on May 30, 2019 The job market is rapidly changing, thanks to new and emerging technologies. As a result, job training has become highly specialized, even at the high school level. While young people living in urban and suburban communities often benefit from on-site access to the specialized education that they will need for future …

How to Bring High-Speed Internet to Public Housing

Published by Institute for Local Self-Reliance on May 30, 2019 By Hibba Meraay This week we’re rebroadcasting an episode of our Community Broadband Bits podcast that details our recent report on San Francisco’s innovative efforts to close the digital divide in public housing. Host Chris Mitchell is joined by former ILSR intern and report co-author, Hannah Rank, to discuss how this model …

Pete Stauber Hosts Broadband Meeting

Published by KDAL on May 30, 2019 By Dave Strandberg SCANDIA, MN (KDAL) – 8TH District Congressman Pete Stauber is scheduled to host a House Small Business Committee field hearing titled Small Businesses and their Limitations without Reliable Access to Rural Broadband on Thursday in Scandia, Minnesota. Stauber will be joined by Congressman Jared Golden, the Chairman of the Small …

South Dakota announces $5 million in state rural broadband grant dollars

Published by Ag Week on May 28, 2019 By Sarah Mearhoff RAPID CITY, S.D. — As part of Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s plan to expand rural internet access across South Dakota, the state is granting $5 million to help complete eight broadband expansion projects by the end of the year. The Governor’s Office in a Tuesday, May 28, news release …

Congressman Kilmer wants to build ‘fiberhoods’ across America

Published by MY Northwest on May 28, 2019 By Dyer Oxley There are places in Washington, even in 2019, where rural broadband doesn’t exist – or even a solid phone connection. That was evident when KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross attempted to call Congressman Derek Kilmer in rural Mason County. Eventually, the call got through. “Unfortunately, there are large parts of …

FCC authorizes $22 million for broadband in rural Missouri counties

Published by Howel County News on May 24, 2019 By Caitlyn Rosen  Missourians living in rural areas have dealt with a lack of broadband access at disproportionate levels. Funding authorized Tuesday from the Federal Communications Commission could peck away at the problem. The FCC authorized $22.4 million over the next decade to expand broadband access to 13 counties and 7,400 …