19 SC schools, thousands of homes to get internet thanks to $8.1 million federal grant
Thousands of homes across South Carolina will have new or better access to the internet, thanks to a grant of $8.1 million from the federal government.
As part of its Re-connect Pilot program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will improve broadband for more than 3,780 rural homes, 23 farms, 19 businesses, 19 educational facilities and eight fire stations in the Palmetto State, according to a statement from the department.
The USDA issued the grant to Moncks Corner-based communications company Home Telecom. The company will use the money to run 96 miles of fiber-optic cable to different areas in Charleston and Berkeley counties.
The grants come as state and federal lawmakers debate how best to address a gap in access to in the internet. In South Carolina, about 11% of residents in 2016 lacked access, according to a Federal Communications Commission report.
“Rural America needs robust modern broadband infrastructure to thrive,” Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Hubbard said in the statement announcing the grant. “The critical funding we’ve announced today will be used to improve internet speeds for hospitals, public safety and schools, and it will provide new opportunities for economic growth.”
The investment comes from a March 2018 allocation from Congress, which gave a total of $600 million to the USDA to “expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America,” according to the statement.
The Lowcountry counties were chosen to receive the grant after the USDA received 146 applications.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
