Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program.
A news release says these funds will enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload. ReConnect funding applications can be submitted at reconnect.usda.gov.
In this first round of funding, USDA is making available at least $600 million in rural broadband projects, through $200 million in grants- deadline is May 31; $200 million in loan and grant combinations- deadline is June 21; and $200 million in low-interest loans- deadline is July 12.
For more information, visit the website, reconnect.usda.gov.