Congressman Cleaver Announces Grant Opportunities for Rural Broadband Deployment

Missouri’s Fifth District – Congressman Cleaver is pleased to announce the opportunity for rural areas to get financial assistance for broadband deployment. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications in this effort to continue strengthening rural economies.

“A dependable and quality infrastructure is crucial for rural areas to grow their economies, create and support jobs, and expand access to and knowledge about numerous issues, including health services,” said U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II. “We are seeing historic investment in rural America right now, and I want to make sure anyone in Missouri’s Fifth District who is interested, knows about this.”

Up to $21 million in grants is available through the Community Connect Grant program. It is a program targeting rural areas where service is not available. To date the program has funded 229 projects with USDA investments of $122 million. According to the USDA, in 2012, the department helped improve broadband service for close to 65,000 rural households, businesses and community organizations across the country.

For more information: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-03/pdf/2013-10502.pdf

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.