Vilsack announces electricity, broadband funding
July 21, 2015 |05:08 PM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced funding for new electricity and broadband projects.
Vilsack said that $349 million will go to 15 rural electric infrastructure projects to build or improve more than 1,844 miles of transmission and distribution lines for rural electric cooperatives and utilities in 13 states.
“Eighty years ago, USDA took on the challenge of bringing power to rural America, and it helped make this the greatest, most productive country on Earth,” said Vilsack. “Today, we are continuing that commitment by investing in the next generation of power transmission – smart grid technology – to make our electric system more reliable, efficient and effective.
“Upgrading the electric grid will not only improve reliability and better manage costs, but it will also bring jobs and increased economic opportunities, helping to build a sustainable and dynamic future for rural residents and businesses,” he added.
Vilsack on Monday announced $85.8 million in funding to strengthen access to high-speed broadband for rural America, and $11 million in Community Connect grants.
“Broadband is fundamental to expanding economic opportunity and job creation in rural areas, and it is as vital to rural America’s future today as electricity was when USDA began bringing power to rural America 80 years ago,” said Vilsack. “The investments USDA is making today will deliver broadband to rural communities that are currently without high-speed Internet service, or whose infrastructure needs to be upgraded.
“Improved connectivity means these communities can offer robust business services, expand access to health care and improve the quality of education in their schools, creating a sustainable and dynamic future for those who live and work in rural America,” he concluded.
The broadband telecommunications loans went to Minnesota, South Carolina, Montana, and Wisconsin. The Community Connect grants went to Alaska, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
Vilsack said that $349 million will go to 15 rural electric infrastructure projects to build or improve more than 1,844 miles of transmission and distribution lines for rural electric cooperatives and utilities in 13 states.
“Eighty years ago, USDA took on the challenge of bringing power to rural America, and it helped make this the greatest, most productive country on Earth,” said Vilsack. “Today, we are continuing that commitment by investing in the next generation of power transmission – smart grid technology – to make our electric system more reliable, efficient and effective.
“Upgrading the electric grid will not only improve reliability and better manage costs, but it will also bring jobs and increased economic opportunities, helping to build a sustainable and dynamic future for rural residents and businesses,” he added.
Vilsack on Monday announced $85.8 million in funding to strengthen access to high-speed broadband for rural America, and $11 million in Community Connect grants.
“Broadband is fundamental to expanding economic opportunity and job creation in rural areas, and it is as vital to rural America’s future today as electricity was when USDA began bringing power to rural America 80 years ago,” said Vilsack. “The investments USDA is making today will deliver broadband to rural communities that are currently without high-speed Internet service, or whose infrastructure needs to be upgraded.
“Improved connectivity means these communities can offer robust business services, expand access to health care and improve the quality of education in their schools, creating a sustainable and dynamic future for those who live and work in rural America,” he concluded.
The broadband telecommunications loans went to Minnesota, South Carolina, Montana, and Wisconsin. The Community Connect grants went to Alaska, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
