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Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Funding to Help Expand High-Speed Internet in Rural North Dakota
[October 23, 2014]

Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Funding to Help Expand High-Speed Internet in Rural North Dakota


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WILLISTON, N.D., Oct. 22 -- The office of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $4.5 million in federal funding to help expand high-speed Internet access in rural communities throughout Stutsman, Morton, and Oliver Counties.



"In today's world, it's essential that communities, businesses, and families have access to high-speed Internet to help stay connected to folks across North Dakota and around the world," said Heitkamp. "These funds will help rural communities in Stutsman, Morton, and Oliver Counties not only meet the needs of today but also prepare for future development and innovation - something I will keep pushing for so that all rural areas in North Dakota have an opportunity to thrive." The funds will be distributed as follows: * Daktel Communication, LLC - $2,370,354. The funds will be used to establish a fiber-to-the-premises network, expanding high-speed Internet service in an unserved, rural area of Stutsman County.

* BEK Communications Cooperative - $2,136,045. The funds will be used to establish a fiber-to-the-home network, expanding high-speed Internet service in northeast Morton County and southeast Oliver County.


The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Connect Grant Program.

In April, Heitkamp met with John Padalino, then-Administrator of the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), to stress the importance of building infrastructure to expand high-speed Internet in rural areas of the state.

Additionally, Heitkamp visited with local North Dakota co-ops in March in Washington, D.C., many of which have benefited from RUS loans to help build high-speed Internet service and improve service for North Dakota consumers.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation, which oversees the RUS at USDA, Heitkamp sought to make sure programs authorized through the RUS to expand high-speed Internet and promote tele-medicine remained in a strong position going forward.

TNS 30TacordaCheng-141023-4909782 30TacordaCheng (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

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