AVON, N.Y. — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced USDA is investing $21 million to provide broadband service in rural areas in New York without sufficient access to broadband. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program.

“Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to electricity, Americans couldn’t fully participate in modern society and the modern economy. Broadband internet is the new electricity. It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning and health care, and to stay connected,” USDA Rural Development Acting New York State Director Brian Murray said. “This is why President Biden’s American Jobs Plan prioritizes building ‘future-proof’ broadband infrastructure – like the investments we’re announcing today – in areas without sufficient access to broadband, so that we finally reach 100 percent high-speed broadband coverage.”

Empire Long Distance Corporation will use an $11.3 million ReConnect grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 11,341 people, 96 farms, 42 businesses and a school to high-speed broadband in Livingston County, New York.

Madison County will use a $10.1 million ReConnect grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 2,170 people, 50 farms and 30 businesses to high-speed broadband in Madison County, New York.

Background:

USDA’s ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs to construct, improve or acquire facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, 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 www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

–USDA

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