USDA Investments In Rural Public Television Stations

The United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development announced investments in rural telecommunications infrastructure and equipment to expand access to education and economic development for rural residents.

USDA Rural Development is awarding grants through the Public Television Digital Transition Grant program. Six grants total more than $2.5 million. In Alaska, USDA has selected Bethel Broadcasting for a $718,656 grant to help station KYUK buy digital production equipment. The station will convert to digital a low-power transmitter for public channels that are part of the Alaska Rural Communications Service. Digital transmission is important to remote towns like Bethel, which can only be reached by air. Bethel has more than 60 percent Yup'ik Eskimo residents and serves as an administrative and transportation hub for nearly 60 surrounding Native Alaskan villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Public Television Digital Transition grants may be used to acquire and install facilities and software necessary for the transition. The grants also may be used for associated engineering and environmental studies.