USDA Office of Communications
WISDOM, Mont., Feb. 24, 2020 – (Monday), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Charles Robison joined Rep. Greg Gianforte to announce USDA has invested $3.3 million in a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 142 homes, businesses, farms and ranches in Beaverhead County. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“President Trump has made rural broadband access a top priority,” Robison said. “The businesses and ranches in Beaverhead County that will get connected through USDA’s investment will be able to expand their everyday operations. E-connectivity is vital to rural prosperity, and when rural Montana thrives, all of Montana thrives.”
Rep. Gianforte added, “Improving Montanans’ access to dependable broadband is critical to our rural communities. It will further empower our farmers, ranchers, small business owners and Montanans who want to work remotely. I appreciate the efforts of Secretary Perdue and the Trump administration to increase broadband access through the ReConnect Program. I’ll continue working to ensure our rural and frontier communities have reliable high-speed broadband, which will create more opportunities and improve access to health care.”
Southern Montana Telephone Company (SMT) will use a $3.3 million ReConnect Program grant to construct a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Beaverhead County. The 1,688-square-mile service area includes 109 households, 26 farms and ranches, seven businesses and the Grant Fire Station.
Improved broadband access in Beaverhead County will make a significant impact on agricultural and small businesses. Farmers and ranchers will be able to monitor their operations in real time and use high-speed internet to buy, sell or trade livestock.