U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $100.5 million to facilitate and improve access to high-speed internet for Alaskans in rural communities. These awards are possible thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—and specifically through USDA’s ReConnect Program, which aims to ensure high-speed internet for all communities across the United States.
To date, Alaska has received more than $3.9 billion in infrastructure investments thanks to the bipartisan IIJA.
“All Americans deserve access to high-speed internet, but too many rural Alaskans still struggle with reliable connectivity. This $100 million investment is good news for many communities in our state who deserve better access and faster speeds,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “When crafting the bipartisan infrastructure law, I was focused on connecting Alaskans. Whether it’s by improving our roads, marine highway system, ports, airports, or broadband access—the bipartisan infrastructure law’s investments are continuing to connect Alaskans like never before.”
“Access to high-speed, reliable internet can be transformative for our communities, enhancing the delivery of health care and education, and opening doors for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Senator Sullivan. “Many of our rural communities for too long have found themselves without the broadband connectivity that most Americans take for granted. I’m glad to see the significant federal infrastructure dollars we secured being deployed to break down the digital divide and improve the lives and well-being of thousands of Alaskans across Alaska.”
Grants directed to Alaska through the announcement from the ReConnect Program include:
- Matanuska Telecom Association: $12,620,357 to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet, benefitting households, businesses, and educational facilities in the Tyonek Alaska Native Village Statistical Area.
- Interior Telephone Company: $34,993,700 to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet, benefitting households, businesses, and educational facilities in Nome Census Area in Alaska for communities like Shaktoolik, St. Michael, Stebbins, and Unalakleet.
- Mukluk Telephone Company: $34,989,295 to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet, benefitting households, businesses, and educational facilities in Nome Census Area in Alaska, including Inalik and Wales.
- Copper Valley Telephone Cooperative: $17,897,482 to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet, benefitting households in Valdez-Cordova Census Area in Alaska.