Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Announces $10 Million Rural Broadband Grant for Madison County
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) announced that Madison County will receive $10.1 million from the Department of Agriculture through the USDA’s ReConnect Program. This program provides loans and grants to cover the costs to construct, improve or acquire facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in rural areas without sufficient, reliable internet access. This grant will be used to deploy a high-quality fiber network to connect 798 households, 2,170 people, 30 businesses, and 50 farms across over 48.21 square miles.
“In today’s world, your internet connection can determine your destiny,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The COVID-19 pandemic has driven the point home that those who lack bandwidth, lack opportunity. With this funding, Madison County residents will be able to access greater educational, healthcare, and business opportunities.”
“One of my goals was to increase broadband access in Madison County. Now, because of this grant, that will become a reality,” said Madison County Board Chairman John M. Becker. “With better access to high-speed internet, Madison County will be an even better place to live, go to school, and do business. Thank you to all of our residents who took part in our survey, as well as those who voiced their concerns over the years whether it was about lacking service or even being unhappy with their current service options. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to secure this grant for Madison County. This money is a major game changer for our community.”
This funding for the USDA ReConnect program was provided in the FY19 Agriculture Appropriations Act ultimately signed into law by President Trump in February 2019. This important federal investment was authorized a year earlier in the 2018 Farm Bill, which Congresswoman Tenney supported in the 115th Congress.
Congresswoman Tenney is a strong supporter of cultivating a robust internet marketplace that provides better service for a lower cost. This June the congresswoman testified in front of the powerful House Appropriations committee to urge it to continue funding rural broadband expansions through the USDA ReConnect Program and reform the program to raise the federal definition of internet service. The congresswoman is also an original cosponsor for H.R. 3377, the Gigabit Opportunity Act, and cosponsor of H.R. 3435, the American Broadband Act, which aim to boost federal and private sector resources to expand broadband access in underserved communities.
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