Colorado Lands USDA ReConnect Program Award for Rural Broadband Expansion

DENVER - U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $6.3 million dollar ReConnect award to Emery Telecommunications & Video, Inc for Colorado to deploy fiber-to-the-premises network connecting 1,638 people, 91 farms, 52 businesses, three fire stations and two post offices to high-speed broadband internet, covering over 206 square miles in the counties of North Dolores, South Dolores, South San Miguel, Egnar-North, East Dove Creek, and Lewis, Colorado. This award will help transform an area of Colorado that is virtually a broadband desert due to rugged terrain and sparse population. 

“My administration is leveraging federal and state broadband funds to facilitate accessible, affordable, universal and rural broadband coverage that help create good jobs and support telehealth across our state. This is great news for south western Colorado,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “To compete in the global economy, attract the brightest talent, and offer Coloradans the freedom to live, work and play anywhere in our state, we must deploy the resources to  universal broadband infrastructure connecting every Coloradan, unleashing their economic and educational potential. We thank Sec. Purdue and welcome the USDA’s investment in this project.”

ReConnect Program & Emery application: 

• ReConnect is the USDA’s newest grant, loan, and combination grant/loan program supporting broadband access to rural homes, farms and businesses. 

• Round Two of the USDA’s ReConnect program made available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans for areas of the country that have broadband speeds of less than 10/1 Mbps. The application window for Round Two closed on April 15, 2020.

###