Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that it will make $550 million in funding available in 2020 to deploy high-speed broadband internet infrastructure in rural America through the Reconnect Pilot Program funding appropriated by Congress. Senator Tillis has worked with communities throughout the state on grant applications to expand broadband in rural North Carolina.
This week, USDA announced they will invest $7.9 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure to create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 4,000 rural households in Columbus County. This follows the USDA’s announcement that they will invest $23.7 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for nearly 8,750 rural households in Clinton, North Carolina.
“High-speed internet remains one of the biggest needs in rural North Carolina and working with the state government to expand access is one of my top priorities,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud North Carolina was able to secure over $30 million in 2019, and I look forward to working to ensure North Carolina makes a strong case for additional grants next year. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Perdue for making this substantial funding available for rural communities across the country.”
USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020.
Earlier this year, Senator Tillis hosted a roundtable at Vance-Granville Community College to talk about the need for rural broadband access and find ways the federal and state government can work together to reach more North Carolinians.
Earlier this week, Senator Tillis sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the Commission to prioritize sustainable rural broadband networks as the FCC considers new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding.
This week, USDA announced they will invest $7.9 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure to create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 4,000 rural households in Columbus County. This follows the USDA’s announcement that they will invest $23.7 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for nearly 8,750 rural households in Clinton, North Carolina.
“High-speed internet remains one of the biggest needs in rural North Carolina and working with the state government to expand access is one of my top priorities,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud North Carolina was able to secure over $30 million in 2019, and I look forward to working to ensure North Carolina makes a strong case for additional grants next year. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Perdue for making this substantial funding available for rural communities across the country.”
USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020.
Earlier this year, Senator Tillis hosted a roundtable at Vance-Granville Community College to talk about the need for rural broadband access and find ways the federal and state government can work together to reach more North Carolinians.
Earlier this week, Senator Tillis sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the Commission to prioritize sustainable rural broadband networks as the FCC considers new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding.
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