U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $59,028,776 to expand high-speed internet access to rural communities across Michigan. These funds were made possible by the USDA’s Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program. Senator Stabenow secured the infusion of funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“High speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential service that we need for everything from work, school, doctors’ visits, and paying our bills. Many people in our rural communities are still frustrated by slow and unreliable internet connections. This investment brings us one step closer to ensuring that farmers, schools, businesses and residents throughout our state have access to fast, reliable internet service,” said Senator Stabenow.
DMCI Broadband will receive $6,245,490 million in grants and loans to connect 2,899 people, 94 farms, 56 businesses, and 4 educational facilities to high-speed internet in Branch and Hillsdale counties.
Michigan Central Broadband Company will receive a $14,948,004 grant to connect 360 people, 52 farms, and 7 businesses to high-speed internet in Crawford, Kalkaska, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.
Upper Peninsula Telephone Company will receive a $34,532,301 grant to connect 1,625 people, 69 farms, 40 businesses, and 2 educational facilities to high-speed internet in Dickinson, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, and Ontonagon counties.
The Baraga Telephone Company will receive a $3,302,981 loan to connect 362 people, four farms, and 2 businesses to high-speed internet in Houghton County.
To learn more about USDA’s Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program visit www.rd.usda.gov/.
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