Rural areas get internet service in hopes of spurring jobs

Rural communities in Southwest Michigan are getting a chance to use the Internet as they work to attract new business and jobs with funding from the federal government.

Climax Telephone Company received $3.2 million and those were matched with more than $1 million in private contributions. It will be used to provide high-speed broadband to Climax and Scotts.

More than 1,800 people will be able to use the service, as will 50 businesses and nine community institutions.

Approximately $1.2 million will go to Communications Corporation of Michigan in Augusta. Another $400,000 in matching funds will bring high-speed DSL service to the rural area.

In all, $1.2 billion will be invested in the 126 broadband infrastructure projects through funding made available through the Recovery Act. An additional $117 million in private investment will be leveraged, bringing the total funds invested to $1.31 billion.

In addition to the jobs this project will create upfront, it will help drive economic development and create jobs for decades to come, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says.

The Southwest Michigan grants are two of 126 new Recovery Act broadband infrastructure projects that will create jobs and provide rural residents

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: USDA