USDA Rural
Development Announces New
Funding Opportunities For Broadband Service
Phillipsburg, KS. - Rural Kansas telecommunications leaders today participated
with USDA officials from Washington, D.C., and Topeka in a joint announcement
of new funding opportunities for broadband service to benefit rural America.
The Kansas presentation of the program was held at the Huck Boyd Community
Center in Phillipsburg. Telecommunications linkups participating in the
announcement were also established in Mississippi, Virginia and West Virginia.
In today's announcement, USDA
Secretary Ann Veneman and Rural Development Under Secretary Tom Dorr announced
that $1.4 billion in new broadband funding to rural telecommunications
providers. Larry Sevier, CEO of Rural Telephone Service Company in Lenora
and Stan Thibault, President of Osborne Industries in Osborne then discussed
the successes realized from utilizing Rural Development's RUS Telecommunications
programs.
Rural Development State Director
Chuck Banks praised Rural Telephone Service Company's expansion of broadband
service in north central Kansas. "Establishing broadband service
is a key component to adding jobs, providing enhanced education and health
care service in many rural Kansas counties. The result is improved economic
development and an enhanced quality of life for our State. USDA Rural
Development hopes to assist other communities in establishing this service
where it is needed," commented Banks.
Rural Development is the economic
development agency for USDA. For additional program information, you may
log onto the state Rural Development website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks,
or e-mail the Agency at 2002farmbillRD@ks.usda.gov
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