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# USDA Announces $173 Million in Additional ReConnect Funding
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/usda-announces-173-million-in-additional-reconnect-funding/
- Published: 2024-10-22T15:38:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:02:27.000Z
- Description: ReConnect Program funding will flow to ten states.
- Author: Ari Bertenthal
- Tags: NTCA, ReConnect, #with-siderail, Briefs, USDA, Mike Romano, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2024 – The federal effort to connect rural residents and businesses to broadband internet access received new funding under a program aimed at [closing the digital divide](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/digital-equity-executives-advise-on-closing-digital-divide/).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture [announced Thursday](https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/10/17/biden-harris-administration-connects-people-farms-and-businesses?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) that $173 million was made available through the ReConnect Program’s [fifth round of funding](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/usdas-reconnect-program-accepting-applications/) to connect rural populations in 10 states.

According to USDA, [the funding](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/usda-extends-reconnect-round-5-application-deadline/) will help to support more than 8,000 people, 179 businesses, 894 farms and 12 anchor institutions.

Of the $173 million funding package, more than $150 million went to nine members of the NTCA – the Rural Broadband Association, a number that represents roughly 87 percent of the total funding package.

“On behalf of NTCA and our members, I look forward to continued collaboration with USDA and others to connect the unconnected in rural America and to keep them connected,” said NTCA Executive Vice President **Mike Romano**.

Thursday’s investments will connect rural residents of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia.