SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – President Biden recently announced a plan to provide $207 million for South Dakota in funding for broadband internet access in rural areas of the United States.
This declaration is essential for the Web for All drive where $42.45 billion are dispensed for expanding broadband access the nation over through the Broadband Value Access and Arrangement (Dot) award program.
According to a press release from the White House, “high-speed internet is no longer a luxury – it is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, participate equally in school, access health care, and stay connected with family and friends.” However, more than 8.5 million families and private companies are in regions where there is no fast web foundation, and millions more battle with restricted or temperamental web choices.”
Gov. Kristi Noem declared a comparable arrangement in 2019 called ConnectSD to bring South Dakotans quicker and better quality web access. Over 26,000 homes and businesses now have access to high-speed broadband thanks to state and federal funding of over $203 million.
$100 million to help us catch up on internet speed and quality, but 15% of South Dakotans still lack access to high-speed internet or the internet as a whole.
The $207 million in BEAD funding will be used to support manufacturing jobs for the installation and upkeep of underground fiber optic cables that connect a provider’s network to an individual’s home.
According to Alliance Communications, a Brandon-based internet service provider, at-home internet access is essential in the modern era due to the growing availability of telehealth, online classes and assignments for students, and the increasing number of people who work from home.
“It’s considerably more significant than it used to be even five or quite a while back,” Amy Ahlers, Collusion’s showcasing boss, said. ” A great deal more of what we do has gone on the web. A lot of people are looking into the possibility of working from home, but in order to do so, you need a reliable internet connection.
