JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $7 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in North Dakota.

This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program.

“Broadband is a cornerstone to prosperity in North Dakota’s rural communities because it is essential to economic development, as well as access to health care, educational opportunities and connections to people and services,” USDA North Dakota State Director for Rural Development Clare Carlson said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in deploying this critical infrastructure in North Dakota and across all of America’s rural communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Daktel Communications was selected to receive around $1.8 million in 50% loan and 50% grant. ReConnect Program grant funding will be used to construct FTTP network infrastructure north of Jamestown.

“The funded service areas include 406 households and three educational facilities. The use and development of broadband in this area will provide various home-based business opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and stimulate innovation and investment in the area,” the program states. “In addition, education, healthcare, energy efficiency, and public safety will improve with high-speed Internet access. Daktel Communications will offer broadband services at 1 Gbps symmetrical to locations that were previously unserved in the area.”

The total cost of the project is $3.66 million with the other funding being matched by Daktel Communications.