Press Releases

Rep. Jack Bergman joined USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue on a virtual press briefing to announce USDA investment of $10.1 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Michigan - including $3.5 million for a project centered in Alpena and Alcona counties.

Rep. Bergman stated, “This public-private partnership will bring connectivity to rural and remote communities in two First District counties. The pandemic has highlighted our region’s acute need for broadband access, which is why I’ve supported the ReConnect program from its inception. Whether it's working from home for our jobs, remote education for our students, or telehealth for our seniors and Veterans, this is an important step to ensure Northern Michigan can participate online through highspeed connections."

“The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now – as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency. Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “I am so proud of our rural communities who have been working day in and day out, just like they always do, producing the food and fiber America depends on. We need them more than ever during these trying times, and expanding access to this critical infrastructure will help ensure rural America prospers for years to come.”

This investment is part of funding allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program in the Cares Act, which Rep. Bergman supported in Congress. 

Allband Multimedia LLC will use a $3.5 million ReConnect grant to deploy a fixed wireless network to connect 3,678 people, 64 farms, 54 businesses, four educational facilities, and a post office to high-speed broadband internet in Alpena, Alcona, and Iosco counties in Michigan.

Background:

In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America.

On April 20, 2020, USDA announced the Department has received 172 applications for $1.57 billion in Round Two of the ReConnect Program. The second round will enable USDA to implement innovative new solutions to rural connectivity by leveraging financial options with our partners and continuing the success of the first round of funding. The application window for Round Two closed on April 15.

In Round One of the ReConnect Program, USDA invested $698 million to bring high-speed
broadband e-Connectivity to approximately 167,000 households, 17,000 rural small businesses and farms, and more than 500 health care centers, educational facilities and critical community facilities located in 33 states. To learn more about individual investments, read USDA’s Broadband ReConnect Program report.

USDA received 11 Round Two ReConnect Program applications that are eligible for the $100 million Congress allocated to the program through the CARES Act.

To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.