The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens has announced funding for high-speed internet projects aimed at improving connectivity in some of Missouri’s most rural and underserved areas. The Grand River Mutual Telephone Corporation has been awarded $11,145,525 through the USDA’s ReConnect program to implement these initiatives.
Director Wilkens emphasized the significance of the investment, stating, “Connecting residents, businesses, and farms in rural Missouri would not happen without the USDA’s ReConnect program. We could not be more pleased to ensure federal investment in these Northwest Missouri counties will strengthen and expand communication infrastructure—which will lead directly to economic development and business opportunities.”
The funding will support the deployment of a fiber-to-the-premises network, which will bring high-speed internet access to hundreds of residents, several businesses, and nearly 140 farms across Daviess, Gentry, and Harrison counties. This initiative is expected to not only improve communication infrastructure but also enhance opportunities for economic growth and innovation in these rural communities…