The bonanza has begun. RUS made a significant dent in its remaining broadband stimulus funds with the announcement of 126 awards today, totaling $1.2 billion. The projects are located in 38 states and tribal areas. An additional $117 million in private investment will be allocated, bringing the total funds invested to $1.31 billion for this round.
Some winners of note include Windstream ($66.3 million), Utopia Wireless ($5.8 million), and West Kentucky Rural Telephone ($123.8 million). Noticeably missing from this round is Qwest, who requested $350 million. RUS also spread the wealth around, relative to broadband access technology –DSL (44 projects), FTTH (39 projects), and broadband wireless (18 projects) projects were all represented.
“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,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press release. We expect NTIA to outline several projects very soon as well.
A summary of all of the announced projects, listed by state, may be accessed here.
