By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $25 million in funding to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas. This initiative is part of the Administration’s Investing in America agenda.
Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden stated that the USDA is committed to ensuring that people, regardless of where they live, have access to high-speed internet.
The funding is made possible through the President’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to rebuild the economy and strengthen the nation’s infrastructure.
The Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program will provide the funding. It aims to help communities and organizations receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training to expand high-speed internet into rural and Tribal communities.
The program includes funding for feasibility studies, network designs, hiring efforts, application development assistance, and more.
The announcement marks the second round of funding for the program. In the first round, the program received 96 applications requesting a total of $44.5 million.
In the second round, applicants must apply through one of two funding categories - Technical Assistance Providers and Technical Assistance Recipients.
The USDA encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance key priorities such as assisting rural communities recover economically, ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development programs, and reducing climate pollution.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National