USDA Funding Expands Broadband Access to Nearly Six Million Rural Residents, Workers and Businesses

US Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service Administrator Brandon McBride announced that nearly six million Americans who live and work in rural areas now have access to new or improved high-speed internet service, thanks to USDA funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Two hundred fifty-four Recovery Act broadband projects financed by USDA's Rural Utilities Service totaling $2.9 billion are providing broadband service in 44 states and American Samoa. More than half the infrastructure projects were completed under budget, resulting in the return of nearly $113 million to the US Treasury. The measure's five-year period for funding broadband projects expired at the end of the 2015 fiscal year. These projects have brought high-speed Internet access to 260,000 rural households, 17,500 businesses and 1,900 community facilities. The service providers estimate that completed projects could provide access for more than 5.8 million rural consumers.