USDA Invests Additional Funds To Connect Rural Oregonians

USDA will invest $7 million in a rural Clackamas County internet provider, with the hopes of providing broadband service to 500 unserved households.  USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh made the announcement Tuesday at Clear Creek Communications.

“For too long, there have been rural communities that, in essence, have been left behind because there’s a lack of connectivity.  The high-speed internet and broadband connectivity, which really, when you don’t have that connectivity, you’re not part of the digital economy."

The investment comes just two weeks after USDA’s Rural Development office announced $20.5 million in loans and grants for Oregon Telephone Corporation, which provides internet service to Baker, Grant and Malheur counties.  Bronaugh added much of rural America is unable to participate in the digital economy, due to a lack of high-speed internet access.

“Many of those communities that don’t have that are also struggling with generational poverty. But we want to make sure Oregon is fully engaged in the digital economy, in all parts of this state.”

The USDA plans to pump more than 27-million dollars into rural broadband services in Oregon.

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