PCCA Journal|4
th
Quarter 2010
7
O
n September 13 Agri-
culture Secretary Tom
Vilsack announced
the funding of 43 new
broadband infrastructure
projects that will create
jobs and provide rural residents in
27 states and Native American tribal
areas access to improved internet
service. Funding is provided through
the American Recovery and Rein-
vestment Act (Recovery Act).
“The broadband projects an-
nounced today will give rural Ameri-
cans access to the tools they need
to create jobs and access improved
health care and educational opportu-
nities,” Vilsack said. “These projects
will not only create jobs for the peo-
ple who will build these networks,
the completed systems will provide a
platform for rural economic growth
for years to come.”
One example is in Louisiana,
where Pride Network, Inc. will
receive an $18.4 million loan and
a $17.7 million grant to deploy a
fiber-to-the-premises network to
bring broadband service to St. Hel-
ena, Washington, and Tangipahoa
Parishes. The project will benefit ap-
proximately 25,000 residents, 3,000
businesses, and about 200 communi-
ty facilities. The company estimates
the project will create 1,300 jobs.
In Washington state, EcliptixNet
Broadband, Inc. will receive a $6.1
million loan and a $14.3 million
grant to provide high-speed broad-
band service to rural portions of Fer-
ry, Stevens, and Spokane counties.
Upgraded service will be available to
over 68,000 residents, 3,600 busi-
nesses and 300 community facilities.
The company estimates the project
will create 230 jobs.
In all, $518 million will be in-
vested in the 43 broadband infra-
structure projects with funding made
available through the Recovery
Act. An additional $34.1 million in
private investment will also be com-
mitted to the projects. By leveraging
$2.5 billion in Recovery Act fund-
ing authorized by Congress, USDA
has been able to provide loans and
grants of $3.6 billion to construct
307 broadband projects in 46 states
and one territory.
Funding is contingent upon the
recipient meeting the terms of the
loan, grant or loan/grant agreement.
A complete list of projects receiv-
ing Recovery Act broadband grant
awards today can be viewed in full
at
http://www.usda.gov/docu-ments/ARRA_PDF_09-14-2010.pdf
or by calling Mike Ancell at PCCA,
(703) 212-7734.
RDUP News
RDUP News continued on page 8
USDA Announces 43 New
Recovery Act Broadband Projects
V
ice President Biden on August 18 announced 94 Recovery Act
investments in broadband projects that will create jobs and
expand economic opportunities within 37 states. These invest-
ments in high-speed internet infrastructure will help bridge the
technological divide in communities that are being left in the 20
th
cen-
tury economy and support improvements in education, healthcare,
and public safety. The August announcement included an investment
totaling $1.8 billion.
The projects receiving funds are part of a program administered by
the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and
Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural
Utilities Service to expand broadband access and adoption across the
country.
The announcement includes 66 grants awarded by the Commerce
Department for projects to deploy broadband infrastructure and
connect community anchor institutions to broadband, create and
upgrade public computer centers, and encourage the sustainable
adoption of broadband service. It also includes 28 awards from USDA
for broadband infrastructure and satellite projects that will provide
rural residents in 16 states and Native American tribal areas access to
improved service.
A complete list of projects in the August 18 announcement can
be viewed in full at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/micro-
sites/20100818_Broadband_Awards.pdf or by calling Mike Ancell at
PCCA, (703) 212-7734.
Biden Announces
Broadband Investments