Upper Peninsula Congressman Jack Bergman issued a formal comment in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s request for input on revisions to the Rural Utility Service’s (RUS) ReConnect Program.
Through this program, USDA RUS offers grants and loans to service providers to build out broadband infrastructure in rural and remote areas. The new changes, focused on increasing provider participation, come as USDA RUS gears up for a third round of funds.
In his formal comments, Rep. Bergman said in part,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has steeply elevated the need to bridge our Nation’s digital divide… I applaud RUS’ decision to reduce paperwork and shorten the application process for upcoming rounds of the program, a move which has the potential to assist the smaller providers directly invested in their communities.”
“I recommend that RUS take additional steps to accommodate smaller internet service providers with more robust technical assistance to minimize frivolous application errors. Furthermore, RUS should use all available tools to promote transparency and timeliness during the application process to ensure applicants know where they stand and can have the certainty to continue serving their areas with or without ReConnect funding”
Read the full comment here.
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