Business & Tech
Utah Companies Win Federal Contracts To Upgrade Rural Broadband
Beehive Telephone and Emery Telecom win e-Connectivity contracts for work in 5 rural counties.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe has announced that USDA has awarded $5.13 million to two Utah companies for rural high-speed broadband infrastructure projects. The awards are designed to create or improve rural e-Connectivity for more than 675 rural households in Utah and western Colorado.
“Both of these projects are providing critical communications investments in some truly rural areas of Utah and Colorado,” Rupe said. “Through USDA’s ReConnect program, these counties will get access to the latest broadband technology, and that will have a positive economic impact for the farms and ranches, small businesses and families that live in these communities.”
Beehive Telephone Company Inc., based in Lake Point, is receiving $2.4 million to develop a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in Garfield, Wayne and Box Elder counties. This investment is anticipated to impact 141 households, eight farms and ranches, seven small businesses, and both the school and fire department in Snowville, Utah.
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Emery Telecommunications & Video Inc., based in Orangeville, is receiving $2.7 million to develop an FTTP network in San Juan County in Utah and Dolores County, Colorado. This investment is anticipated to impact 528 households, 20 farms and ranches, 15 small businesses, as well as the fire department, Sheriff’s office and schools in Dove Creek, Colo.
The ReConnect program was funded in 2018 when Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. USDA reviews applications and approves projects on a rolling basis. The Beehive and Emery awards are two of the first awards to be made.