Internet cable being laid in rural AmericaThe USDA announced $759 million in funding to bring high-speed broadband internet to rural communities from North Carolina to California this week. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared Thursday that the round three funding adds to a total of $1.6 billion for broadband-related projects. The funding program, ReConnect, supports projects that bring or improve high-speed internet access to underserved areas as part of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure law passed this time last year.

According to the White House, more than 30 million Americans live in rural and urban areas that lack internet connections at “minimally acceptable levels.” Applications for round four of the ReConnect funding are due by November 2, with round five to be held in 2023.

Read more on expanding broadband access across the U.S. here.