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<\/p>\nCopperopolis, CA…This Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide highspeed internet. This network will benefit 2,496 people, 13 businesses, three farms and one educational
\nfacility in Calaveras County in California. Calaveras Telephone Company will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program.<\/p>\n
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack\u00a0 announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states and the Marshall Islands to reliable, affordable high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program,<\/a>\u00a0funded by President Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This program is uniquely designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation, which are the most rural, remote and unserved communities.<\/p>\n Connecting all communities across the United States to high-speed internet is a central part of President Biden\u2019s\u00a0Investing in America<\/em>\u00a0agenda to rebuild the economy from the bottom up and middle out by rebuilding our nation\u2019s infrastructure. This agenda is driving more than $500 billion in private-sector manufacturing investments, rebuilding America\u2019s infrastructure, lowering costs, and creating good-paying jobs. And it\u2019s transforming our country for the better \u2013 reaching communities in every corner of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind.<\/p>\n \u201cKeeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs along the way,\u201d Secretary Vilsack said. \u201cThanks to President Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are connecting rural communities to a global marketplace. These investments will support economic growth and prosperity for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Today\u2019s high-speed internet investments are part of the fourth funding round of the\u00a0ReConnect Program<\/a>. Many residents and businesses in rural areas would not have high-speed internet service without the ReConnect Program, as the program is a key part of the Administration\u2019s\u00a0Internet for All<\/em>\u00a0initiative to connect everyone in America to high-speed internet by 2030. Today\u2019s announcement includes $667 million in USDA investments in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Marshall Islands.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s announcement includes several investments that will benefit people living in\u00a0Rural Partners Network<\/a>\u00a0(RPN) communities. RPN works with hundreds of federal, state and local partners to address specific needs in rural communities that have long struggled to access government programs and funding. RPN helps these communities carry out locally driven plans to create jobs, build infrastructure and support economic growth and stability.<\/p>\n Examples of projects in this announcement include:<\/p>\n Also, as part of USDA\u2019s commitment to expand high-speed internet access, the Hood Canal Telephone Co. Inc. is receiving a $3.8 million loan through the\u00a0Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program<\/a>. This investment will help construct 16 miles of fiber to provide high-speed internet access to 800 households and 10 businesses in Union, Washington.<\/p>\n A\u00a0full list of projects<\/a>\u00a0from today\u2019s announcement is available online.<\/p>\n Background: ReConnect Program<\/strong><\/p>\n Applicants to ReConnect Program funding must serve a rural area that lacks access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload. Applicants must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in the proposed service area. Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law\u2019s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.<\/p>\n Background: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law<\/strong><\/p>\n President Biden forged consensus and compromise between Democrats, Republicans and Independents to demonstrate our democracy can deliver big wins for the American people. After decades of talk on rebuilding America\u2019s crumbling infrastructure, President Biden delivered the\u00a0Bipartisan Infrastructure Law<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a historic investment in America that will change people\u2019s lives for the better and get America moving again.<\/p>\n The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $65 billion to ensure every American has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment. The legislation also lowers costs for internet service and helps close the digital divide, so that more Americans can take full advantage of the opportunities provided by internet access.<\/p>\n To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit\u00a0www.rd.usda.gov<\/a>\u00a0or contact the nearest\u00a0USDA Rural Development state office<\/a>.<\/p>\n USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit\u00a0www.rd.usda.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n