The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $5.5 million to provide broadband services to rural areas in central South Dakota.
This is part of the $550 million Congress is allocating to the ReConnect program, which gives federal funding to facilitate broadband implementation in unserved and underserved areas in the United States.
USDA Rural Development Administrator Chad Rupe says bringing high-speed internet to rural parts of the state helps South Dakota businesses get access to rural markets, helps with remote education, and allows better access to healthcare.
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Governor Kristi Noem said on Twitter that she’s thankful to the USDA and the Trump administration for making the investment in rural communities.
The investment is expected to bring high-speed internet to over 1,500 South Dakotans.