Hamilton, Shelby co-ops get funds for high-speed internet

WASHINGTON — Two Illinois cooperatives will receive federal funding through the infrastructure bill to expand high-speed internet in those areas.

The Hamilton County Telephone Co-op received a loan of over $12.41 million and a grant for the same amount.

This U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 3,202 people, 248 farms and 52 businesses to high-speed internet in Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Saline, Wayne and White counties in Illinois.

Hamilton County Telephone Co-op will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs.

The Shelby Electric Cooperative received a grant of over $12.69 million.

This USDA Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 4,057 people, 511 farms, 61 businesses and two educational facilities to high-speed internet in Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby counties in Illinois.

Shelby Electric Cooperative will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is providing $759 million to bring high-speed internet access to 24 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and Palau as part of the infrastructure package.

“People living in rural towns across the nation need high-speed internet to run their businesses, go to school and connect with their loved ones,” Vilsack said.

“USDA partners with small towns, local utilities and cooperatives, and private companies to increase access to high-speed internet so people in rural America have the opportunity to build brighter futures.

“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet. That’s how you grow the economy — not just in rural communities, but across the nation.”

The $759 million in loans and grants comes from the third funding round of the ReConnect Program.

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area that does not have access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second download and 20 Mbps upload.

The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps download and upload to every location in its proposed service area.