ReConnect program

ReConnect program

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
ReConnect program

Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue has some of the details on the second round of ReConnect program proposals to bring broadband to rural America.

“The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now – as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency,” Perdue said. “Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband.”

In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America.

Perdue announced the program, called “ReConnect,” would award loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America.

In April of this year the USDA announced it had received 172 applications for $1.57 billion in round two of the ReConnect Program.

The second round will enable USDA to implement innovative new solutions to rural connectivity by leveraging financial options with its partners. The application window for round two closed April 15.

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