So much news in one day! I apologize – but I wanted to post a quick update on the RUS and their latest awards. I had heard rumors of a big announcement but I want to thank John Shepard for sending me the link to the actual USDA announcement. Unfortunately my note is short because there are no awards in Minnesota.

Here’s the news:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of fourteen Recovery Act Broadband Infrastructure projects that will receive $309,923,352 through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. An additional $3,551,887 in private investment brings the total to $313,475,239. Altogether, Congress awarded USDA $2.5 billion in Recovery Act funding to help bring broadband services to rural un-served and underserved communities.

Iowa and North Dakota got good news – as did 9 other states. You can get the full list online. In my very quick reading I’m seeing fiber, wireless, DSL in the mix; there are middle mile and last mile projects; I see a lot of telephone companies and co-ops and an electric co-op; and I’m seeing a focus on rural.