Biden administration earmarks nearly $700 million for rural internet connectivity

The Biden administration announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states and the Marshall Islands through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funds will be used to provide high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program, funded by H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

It is the fourth round of funding for the ReConnect Program. 

“Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs along the way,” says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are connecting rural communities to a global marketplace. These investments will support economic growth and prosperity for generations to come.” 

The funding specifically includes $667 million in USDA investments in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Marshall Islands. 

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