Fed agency announces funding for rural broadband improvements

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $190.5 million in grants and loans to make broadband and other advanced communications infrastructure improvements in rural areas.

"Modern telecommunications and broadband access is now as essential to the businesses and residents of rural America as electricity was in the 1930s," Vilsack said. "USDA is committed to ensuring that rural Americans have robust broadband and telecommunications systems. The investments we are announcing today will provide broadband in areas that lack it, help rural-serving public television stations begin using digital broadcasts, and support other telecommunications infrastructure improvements."

USDA is providing assistance through the Community Connect Grant program, the Public Television Digital Transition Grant program and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan program.