High speed internet is an essential element of a healthy economy in today’s world, and it’s encouraging to see internet providers and government at virtually every level continue working to expand broadband internet access in rural areas. Modern agriculture and quality healthcare now depend on broadband access, as does economic development in all other areas. As funding opportunities grow, more communities are getting better at taking advantage.
The USDA recently announced that $20 million in federal funding is now available to deliver broadband technical assistance for rural communities. This funding opportunity will use technical assistance funds available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with minimum awards of $50,000 and maximum awards of $1,000,000.
To kick off the Broadband Initiative, the JTF has invested nearly $1 million in eight organizations working to close the digital divide in coal-impacted communities across the U.S.
Our reflections on the 2022 National Convening and how we plan to help coal communities seize this historic moment.
We're working to ensure coal communities can access federal and state broadband funding and advocate for their needs in the design of new programs.
$1 million in matching funds and technical support provided by JTF contributes to one of the largest investments in climate technology in the state's history.
