USDA Invests in Rural South Dakota Families

On Thursday (12/12), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development South Dakota State Director Julie Gross announced USDA has invested $9.5 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 1,750 homes in rural South Dakota.

Gross said,

"Reliable, high-speed broadband internet e-Connectivity is essential to increasing access to specialized health care and education, connecting with friends and family, building or starting a business, or increasing productivity at your agricultural operation. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in deploying this essential infrastructure in rural communities, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives."

Valley Telecommunications Cooperative will use $9.5 million in ReConnect grant funding to deploy a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Brookings, Kingsbury and Moody counties in South Dakota. This investment is anticipated to reach 1,750 rural households, 27 farms, 17 businesses and one critical community facility.