Agricultural News
US Agriculture Secretary Announces $56.5 Million in Broadband Awards for Oklahoma
Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:05:44 CDT
Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, announced the selection of three Oklahoma projects on Monday to receive investments to establish and/or expand high-speed internet coverage in rural Oklahoma. These resources are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed by President Obama in 2009.
USDA Rural Development State Director, Ryan McMullen, today congratulated Pioneer Telephone Co., Cross Telephone Co., and Medicine Park Telephone Co. as the award recipients selected by the Secretary.
"Oklahoma has been remarkably competitive in vying for broadband investments through the Recovery Act," said McMullen. "Today's $56.5 million announcement increases the total USDA investment in broadband infrastructure for rural Oklahomans to nearly $200 million."
"These investments play a critical role in allowing rural communities and businesses to operate on a level playing field with our urban neighbors," continued McMullen. "Access to high-speed internet has become nearly essential for business, and a critical factor in where many choose to call home."
Pioneer Telephone, headquartered in Kingfisher, will receive approximately $35.9 million through this announcement to offer broadband service using Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH), providing speeds of up to 20 Mbps.
Richard Ruhl, General Manager of Pioneer, stated that "this Recovery Act funding will have a direct impact on the economic lives of the customers in our rural service areas. The high-speed broadband will serve as a lifeline to the internet where customers will be able to receive the same data, voice and video services as provided in rural and urban communities."
"The use of broadband facilities will afford students additional opportunities to pursue academic excellence, and will allow rural businesses the ability to affordably connect to a global economy at speeds up to 20 Mbps," said Ruhl.
Ruhl projects by utilizing Recovery Act resources, this broadband expansion will directly create over 200 jobs.
Cross Telephone Company, headquartered in Warner, will receive $17.5 million as a part of this announcement. These funds will allow Cross Telephone Co. to offer FTTH and wireless broadband service speeds in excess of 11 Mbps to underserved areas of six counties along Interstate 40 in Eastern Oklahoma. According to Cross Telephone, approximately 52,000 people stand to benefit, as do roughly 4,180 businesses and 111 community institutions. The project will also extend through the jurisdiction of three American Indian tribes.
Medicine Park Telephone Company will receive approximately $3 million to deliver extremely high-speed, up to 10 Gbps, internet service to remote areas of their service region in Southwest Oklahoma and parts of Texas.
"The broadband projects announced today will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities," Vilsack said. "The Obama Administration understands that bringing broadband to rural America provides a gateway for businesses and key anchor institutions such as libraries, schools, public safety and community centers to provide services to thousands of Americans. These projects will create jobs building these networks, and the completed systems will provide a platform for rural economic growth for years to come."
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Click here for the national news release from USDA in Washington on this announcement.
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