[Satellite TODAY 08-05-10] The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $1.2 billion in broadband access and adoption grants in the second funding round of the $7.2 broadband stimulus package passed in 2009, U.S. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in a statement issued Aug. 4.
    Vilsack said the funding will be issued for 126 projects in 39 states and American tribal areas as part of the administration’s 10-year plan to connect 100 million U.S. households to affordable 100-megabits-per-second Internet service.
    “The broadband projects announced today will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities. … The Obama administration understands that bringing broadband to rural America provides a gateway for businesses and key anchor institutions — such as libraries, schools, public safety and community centers — to provide services to thousands of Americans,” Vilsack said.
    Funding oversight responsibilities are split between the U.S. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Broadband stimulus funds of $100 million are set aside for satellite projects. The first of the three planned funding windows closed in August 2009.
    Separately, U.S. telecom TDS announced Aug. 4 that it was approved by the RUS for $114.5 million in broadband expansion projects in 18 states. TDS Telecom will receive $85.9 million in federal grants and provide $28.6 million of its own funds to complete the projects.
    The company received $12.5 million in grants during the first stimulus funding round to construct and expand broadband networks in Michigan and Alabama.

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