Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced that USDA will begin accepting applications on September 6 for funding to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural Iowa and nationwide. USDA is making the funding available under the ReConnect Program, which received new funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Rep. Axne voted to secure.

“I have been fighting to make sure rural Iowans have access to high-speed internet since my first day in Congress because I know how important it is for our small businesses, hospitals, schools, and kids who are just trying to do their homework to be connected,” Rep. Axne said. “I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because I knew how much it would help our communities in Iowa’s Third District. It will allow our businesses to compete in a global marketplace, our hospitals to offer more telehealth services and virtual options to their patients, and make sure our kids don’t get left behind in school. I hope all eligible communities will take advantage of this funding.”

USDA is making additional funding available for high-speed internet in Round 4 of the ReConnect Program. USDA will begin accepting applications on September 6 for up to $700 million in grants, up to $300 million in loan/grant combinations, and up to $150 million in loans, using funds appropriated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the U.S.

The application deadline is November 2.

USDA has made several improvements to the ReConnect Program for Round 4. Collectively, they increase the availability of funding in rural areas where residents and businesses lack access to affordable, high-speed internet. These include:

• Allowing applicants to serve areas where at least 50% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet.
• Adding a funding category for projects where 90% of households lack sufficient access to high-speed internet. For applications submitted under this category, no matching funds will be required.

Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees under this funding round will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands. The Department’s actions to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas are key components of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to help America build back better in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area where high-speed internet service is not available at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload). The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area.

Original source can be found here.