Here’s an example of what USDA is doing to help improve rural broadband internet access. The Rural Development Broadband Access Loan program is providing the funds. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr had this to say. “Broadband can help to put rural communities on a level playing field when competing with bigger cities for new residents and businesses,” said Dorr. “When people can live in smaller communities that have a higher quality of life and still compete globally, that presents a great opportunity for rural America.”

RC Technologies Corporation in New Effington, South Dakota will receive a loan of more than $3 million to expand broadband access in South Dakota and Minnesota.

Since the program’s inception more than $850 million has been loaned to 57 entities which projects to nearly 300,000 new subscribers in rural America.