ReConnect Effort Benefits Rural Communities In Many Ways, Says USDA Official

The USDA continues to announced funding for the department's Rural High-speed Connectivity Program. Rural Utilities Service Administrator, Chad Rupe, said while federal financing by grants, loans, foster broadband infrastructure development in rural areas, e-connectivity will help these communities in a variety of ways.

"The program's going to generate private sector investment to deploy broadband infrastructure to provide high speed Internet e-connectivity to as many rural premises as possible including homes, community facilities for healthcare and public safety schools, libraries, farms, ranches, factories, and other production sites."

Rupe said $550 million in funding is available through the "ReConnect" program. It's part of a broader suite of USDA rural development programs and funding opportunities to build and expand rural  broadband infrastructure.

"Currently we have still over a billion dollars available to build out e-connectivity in rural communities," Rupe continued.