Current:Home > reviewsBiden administration announces more new funding for rural broadband infrastructure -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Biden administration announces more new funding for rural broadband infrastructure
View
Date:2025-04-26 09:16:05
The Biden administration on Monday continued its push toward internet-for-all by 2030, announcing about $667 million in new grants and loans to build more broadband infrastructure in the rural U.S.
“With this investment, we’re getting funding to communities in every corner of the country because we believe that no kid should have to sit in the back of a mama’s car in a McDonald’s parking lot in order to do homework,” said Mitch Landrieu, the White House’s infrastructure coordinator, in a call with reporters.
The 37 new recipients represent the fourth round of funding under the program, dubbed ReConnect by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another 37 projects received $771.4 million in grants and loans announced in April and June.
The money flowing through federal broadband programs, including what was announced Monday and the $42.5 billion infrastructure program detailed earlier this summer, will lead to a new variation on “the electrification of rural America,” Landrieu said, repeating a common Biden administration refrain.
The largest award went to the Ponderosa Telephone Co. in California, which received more than $42 million to deploy fiber networks in Fresno County. In total, more than 1,200 people, 12 farms and 26 other businesses will benefit from that effort alone, according to USDA.
The telephone cooperatives, counties and telecommunications companies that won the new awards are based in 22 states and the Marshall Islands.
At least half of the households in areas receiving the new funding lack access to internet speeds of 100 megabits per second download and 20 Mbps upload — what the federal government considers “underserved” in broadband terminology. The recipients’ mandate is to build networks that raise those levels to at least 100 Mbps upload and 100 Mbps download speeds for every household, business and farm in their service areas.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the investments could bring new economic opportunities to farmers, allow people without close access to medical care to see specialist doctors through telemedicine and increase academic offerings, including Advanced Placement courses in high schools.
“The fact that this administration understands and appreciates the need for continued investment in rural America to create more opportunity is something that I’m really excited about,” Vilsack said on the media call.
___
Harjai, who reported from Los Angeles, is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (815)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- More Republicans back spending on child care, saying it’s an economic issue
- U.S. detects and tracks 4 Russian warplanes flying in international airspace off Alaska coast
- Precious Moments figurines could be worth thousands of dollars if they meet these conditions
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Henry Fambrough, last surviving original member of The Spinners, dies at 85
- Cover the name, remove the shame: Tinder's tattoo offer aims for exes with ink regrets
- GOP says Biden has all the power he needs to control the border. The reality is far more complicated
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- A sniper killed a Florida bank robber as he held a knife to a hostage’s throat
Ranking
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- TikTok Shop is taking on Amazon — one viral video at a time
- Disney to invest $1.5 billion in ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games to create games, entertainment
- What to know about South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s banishment from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Florida asks state Supreme Court to keep abortion rights amendment off the November ballot
- Missing snow has made staging World Cup cross country ski race a steep climb in Minnesota
- Tire recycler to open facility at Port of South Louisiana, create nearly 50 new jobs
Recommendation
Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
Henry Cavill says he's 'not a fan' of sex scenes: 'They're overused these days'
The Spurs held practice at a Miami Beach school. And kids there got a huge surprise
Disney to invest $1.5 billion in ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games to create games, entertainment
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Stabbing of Palestinian American near the University of Texas meets hate crime standard, police say
Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department Confession Proves She's a True Mastermind
Kansas lawmakers are allowing a 93% pay raise for themselves to take effect next year