In March 2018 Congress allocated $600 million to the USDA to expand broadband service in rural areas. The ReConnect program administered by USDA provided connections to 167,000 households, 17,000 rural small businesses and farms and 500 healthcare centers and educational facilities in 33 states. The second round of the ReConnect program was initiated in April 2020 with 172 applications. USDA is also administering broadband connection under a $100 million Congressional allocation through the CARES Act.
Further information on the program is available at <www.usda.gov/reconnect>.
Since the advent of COVID, broadband connection has become even more important given the restrictions on in-person attendance at K-10, colleges, and other educational institutions. Small businesses and farms have also benefited from enhanced connection in rural areas.
