The January 25th broadband stimulus awards announcement from the Rural Utilities Service, valued at nearly $310 million, exceeds all other awards announced to date under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act combined.
“The Obama Administration will strengthen communities in rural areas through these broadband investments and provide employment opportunities, building a solid foundation for future economic growth,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press release announcing the awards. “The awards for these broadband projects will support anchor institutions—such as libraries, public buildings and community centers—that are necessary for the viability of rural communities.”
A total of fourteen organizations, including many incumbent rural telephone companies, will share in the new awards, which target areas of 11 states that are unserved or underserved with broadband connectivity. States in which funds were awarded include Alaska, Alabama, California, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oregon, and Virginia.
The majority projects included both a grant and loan component—and several included matching funds from private sources. The total value of private investment was $3,552,000.
Many awards were for fiber optic projects, including last mile and middle mile connectivity. At least one award—to Iowa’s LaMotte Telephone Company–was for Wi-Max.
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Categories: Broadband, Broadband Stimulus
