URBANDALE, IOWA (AP) -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the federal government will spend another $363 million to expand broadband access in rural areas.
The money will fund 218 projects in 16 states, including four projects in Iowa. Vilsack says that work will extend broadband to 19,700 people in Iowa, plus additional businesses.
So far the USDA has spent $3 billion to fund projects in 45 states as part of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package.
When completed, Vilsack says the overall effort will expand broadband access to 1.2 million households.
Vilsack, a former two-term Iowa governor, announced the funding Wednesday during a three-day trip to the state, where he is promoting Obama's efforts to make long-term investments in rural areas that also give the economy a boost.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO