USDA invests $5.7M in broadband for rural Nebraska communities

On Friday, Jan. 17, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach announced that USDA has invested $5.7 million in a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity in parts of three Nebraska counties.

The projected is expected to connect 489 rural households, 24 farms and eight businesses to high-speed broadband internet in unserved portions of Madison, Wayne and Pierce counties.

From my experience on my family’s farm to my time as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture, I know first-hand that high-speed broadband internet connectivity is essential to making agricultural businesses more efficient and profitable,” Ibach said. “While serving the state of Nebraska, I saw the potential impact that high-speed broadband would have not only for agricultural producers, but for everyone in our community. It is a privilege to now serve at USDA, under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, and see the Administration make the deployment of this critical infrastructure in rural America a top priority.

According to the USDA, eastern Nebraska Telephone Company will use a $5.7 million ReConnect Program grant to construct 221 miles of fiber-to-the-premises broadband infrastructure.

The company will use matching funds of $1.9 million to complete the project, for a total project cost of $7.6 million, officials said.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer released the following statement after the announcement:

High-speed internet access is an essential resource for Nebraska families, agriculture, communities and businesses. Whether you live in a rural area or a city, it’s critical that we continue deploying and strengthening our broadband infrastructure. I applaud the USDA for making this investment in the Heartland.