(Washington, D.C.)– Senator Tom Harkin says about $6.6 million in federal funding is headed for Iowa to establish broadband internet access to businesses and residents in rural communities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing the money at the behest of Harkin, who is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.
In announcing the funds, Harkin called broadband internet access a necessary utility for people conducting business and students doing their homework. The Democrat said for small towns to thrive and rural businesses to stay competitive, it is important that resources are provided to connect Iowans with a critical utility.
Most of the funding will go to CML Telephone Cooperative Association and F & B Communications Inc., to provide services through a fiber optic network to their customers in rural Cherokee, O’Brien, Cedar and Clinton counties.
(From the Associated Press.).
