Department of Agriculture Celebrates 60 Years of Supporting Rural Telecommunications

In 1949, the Department of Agriculture's telecommunications loan program was established to provide telephone service to rural America. At the time, only one in three farms had access to telephone service. As it did with the rural electrification program, the Telephone Loan Program revolutionized the lives of millions of rural families and businesses by providing connectivity, access to emergency services and business activities that fueled economic growth. Today, Rural Utilities Service (formerly REA), provides loans and grants for telecommunication, electricity and water and environmental services. It is also administering a program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to provide broadband service to underserved communities.