Rep. Ted Budd Announces $2.3 Million Rural Broadband Grant
Yadkinville, N.C. — Today Rep. Ted Budd (NC-13) announced a $2.3 million United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant has been awarded to the state of North Carolina through USDA’s ReConnect program.
The funding was awarded to the Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation, which will use the ReConnect grant to connect over 5,600 people, 67 farms, and 18 businesses to high-speed broadband internet in Davie, Yadkin and Iredell counties.
Rep. Budd sent a letter requesting the grant on April 27, 2020.
Rep. Budd was joined by several federal and local officials for the announcement, including:
- Robert Hosford – USDA Rural Development, NC State Director
- Bette Brand – USDA Rural Development, Deputy Under Secretary
- Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
- Congressman Patrick McHenry
- Mitzie Brannon – YADTEL CEO
Rep. Budd said in a statement:
“Helping more folks access broadband internet has become a necessity for thousands of North Carolinians during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why I’m so proud that our state received this grant, so that people can continue to live their lives, operate their businesses, and educate their children. I’d like to thank USDA and other members of the North Carolina congressional delegation for their work to get this grant across the finish line.”
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said:
“Access to high-speed internet is a cornerstone of prosperity, and unfortunately many of America’s rural communities lack access to this critical infrastructure. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to leveraging all available resources and being a strong partner to rural communities in deploying high-speed broadband e-Connectivity to the people, businesses and community facilities that don’t have access yet. Connecting America’s rural communities to this essential infrastructure is one of USDA’s top priorities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Read the USDA Rural Development News Release here: 10.26.2020 – ReConnect – NC – BRAND – FINAL (003, Trump Administration Invests $2.3 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural North Carolina, 26 October, 2020.
Source: https://budd.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=972
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