Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin are among 18 states to receive a total of $313 million to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners to reliable high-speed internet.
The announcement of funds came on Dec. 18 from the USDA. Funds are financed by the fifth round of the ReConnect Program.
“Keeping the people of rural America connected with good, reliable high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release. “That’s why USDA’s ReConnect Program is an important part of our partnership with rural communities. Through these investments, we are connecting the most rural and remote communities to a global marketplace and bringing new opportunities within reach.”
The ReConnect Program is specifically designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation. The program is a part of the Biden Administration’s
Internet for All
initiative to connect everyone in America to high-speed internet by 2030.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department has invested approximately $4.4 billion for 360 ReConnect awards to bring high-speed internet access to more than 680,000 people in the most rural and remote areas of America. More than $2.2 billion of this funding, which will benefit an estimated 341,000 people, was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Among the 18 states receiving funding, there are several northern states receiving funding including Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin.
Minnesota
Consolidated Telephone Company in Brainerd, received a $5,510,933 million loan and a $5,510,933 grant to connect 2,831 people, 67 businesses and 78 farms in Crow Wing and Morrison counties.
Mienergy Cooperative is receiving a $14,122,353 loan and a $14,122,353 grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 2,255 people, 55 businesses and 235 farms in Fillmore and Winona counties.
Red River Rural Telephone Association received a $5,166,742 grant to build a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 482 people, 17 businesses, 55 farms and one educational facility in Clay County.
Montana
Nemont Telephone Cooperative Inc. is receiving a $15,311,266 million grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 866 people, 32 businesses and 111 farms in Sheridan and Valley counties.
Interbel Telephone Cooperative Inc is receiving a $2,325,125 loan and $2,325,125 grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 93 people, five businesses and two farms in Flathead County.
Wisconsin
Bloomer Telephone Company is receiving a $4,614,709 loan and a $4,614,709 grant to build a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet. This network will benefit 1,278 people, 32 businesses and 73 farms in Chippewa and Dunn counties.
A full list of projects from this announcement is available online.