Ag Secretary Vilsack is in the Quad City area today with a schedule of tours and announcements focused on rural infrastructure improvement.
The USDA has set aside another $1.15 billion dollars for rural broadband improvements through the Reconnect Program. On November 24th the agency will begin accepting applications for loans and grants to expand availability of broadband in rural areas, prioritizing projects serving low density rural areas with slow internet speeds. USDA is also making a $50 million investment towards 105 projects in 27 states through their Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
