USDA Invests $4.4 Million in Rural Broadband Infrastructure in Georgia County
The service area includes 2,159 households, 25 pre-subscribed organizations, two community that is critical, an academic center and 24 pre-subscribed farms, including 22 chicken farms
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural developing Georgia State Director Joyce White announced a $4.4 million investment in high-speed broadband infrastructure. This investment shall offer the construction of 90 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure in Gilmer County. The solution area includes 2,159 households, 25 pre-subscribed companies, two critical community facilities, an academic center and 24 pre-subscribed farms, including 22 chicken farms. This broadband investment shall fortify the chicken industry in north Georgia. This will be among the many funding announcements into the round that is first of ReConnect Pilot system investments.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Ellijay Telephone business to grow broadband access,” White stated. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has made deploying this infrastructure that is critical rural America a premier concern, because we realize whenever rural America flourishes, every one of America flourishes.”
The Ellijay Telephone Company (ETC), launched in 1903, is just a technology frontrunner in Gilmer, Fannin, Cherokee and Pickens counties in north Georgia. It provides cable tv, phone, safety solutions and broadband solutions for company, commercial and domestic customers.
Back Ground:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to grow broadband infrastructure and solutions in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the guidelines regarding the scheduled program, called “ReConnect,” including exactly how the loans and funds are going to be awarded to greatly help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between might 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, asking for $1.4 billion in financing across all three ReConnect Program money services and products: 100 % loan, 100 % grant, and combinations that are loan-grant. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing authorized projects on a basis that is rolling. Extra opportunities in every 
three categories is supposed to be built in the coming months.
These funds, loans and combination funds allow the authorities to partner aided by the personal sector and rural communities to construct contemporary broadband infrastructure in areas with inadequate online sites. Insufficient service is described as connection rates of not as much as 10 megabits per second (Mbps) down load and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will likely to be making available one more $550 million in ReConnect money in 2020. USDA can certainly make available up to $200 million for funds, as much as $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, or more to $200 million for low-interest loans. The program screen with this round of financing shall open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for several financing items would be accepted when you look at the exact same application screen, that may shut on March 16, 2020.
To help possible providers with regards to applications, USDA is hosting assistance that is technical and workshops in the united states. To see an updated a number of times and areas, or even to register to wait, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect/events.
A complete description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is present on web page 67913 associated with the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal enter (PDF, 336 KB). For more information about eligibility, technical help and present notices, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities april. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue delivered the duty Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 tips to align the government that is federal state, regional and tribal governments to make the most of possibilities which exist in rural America. Increasing opportunities in rural infrastructure is a key suggestion regarding the task force.
