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The US Department of Agriculture has granted 7 million to 38 broadband projects across 22 states and the Marshall Islands through the ReConnect Program. The program aims to provide high-speed internet access to rural residents. This initiative is part of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates billion to ensure affordable and reliable high-speed internet service.

Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, emphasized the importance of keeping rural Americans connected to the digital world. He states that providing high-speed internet not only benefits rural communities but also brings new ideas and job opportunities to the country as a whole. With the help of government funding, these investments aim to support economic growth and prosperity for future generations.

The ReConnect Program is aligned with Biden’s Internet for All Initiative, which sets a goal to connect all Americans to high-speed internet by 2030. It also falls under the Investing in America agenda, which focuses on creating jobs, infrastructure repair, and reducing costs. Eligible areas for the program must have inadequate service speeds, with download speeds below 100 Mbps and upload speeds below 20 Mbps.

Despite some progress in recent years, rural residents still have less access to high-speed internet compared to their urban counterparts. According to a 2021 report by the Pew Research Center, 72% of rural residents have broadband internet at home. However, the cost of infrastructure development and concerns about return on investment have posed challenges in closing the digital divide. The funding provided by the government plays a crucial role in bridging this gap and ensuring that all Americans have equal access to high-speed internet.

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