Southeast Missouri is receiving support for rural broadband through the CARES Act.

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senator Roy Blunt and Missouri Director of Ag Chris Chinn announced nearly $3 million going to Big River Communications for the installment of rural broadband Wednesday.

Chad Rupe, USDA’s administrator for rural utilities service, says the funding will provide broadband to thousands of Missourians.

“Big River Communications is receiving a $2.9 million reward to lay over 53 miles of high-speed fiber broadband to connect 4,839 people.”

Chinn says the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s goal is to have 90 percent broadband coverage in the state by 2025 and the CARES Act funding will help speed up the timeline.

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