TDS® approved for $114.5 million in federal broadband stimulus projects
Company awarded thirty-nine broadband expansion grants from USDA totaling $85.9 million
Link to national map
Link to message from Dave Wittwer, president & CEO of TDS Telecommunications Corp.
The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) today announced TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) has been approved for $114.5 million in broadband expansion projects in 18 states.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, TDS submitted 46 applications in the second round of broadband stimulus funding availability in March. Today, TDS received funding approval for 39 of those projects. In total, TDS will receive $85.9 million in federal grants and provide $28.6 million of its own funds to complete the projects. These awards follow TDS’ success from round one where the company received $12.5 million in grants to construct and expand broadband networks in Michigan and Alabama.
“This is great news for our customers and employees alike,” says Dave Wittwer, president and CEO of TDS Telecommunications Corp. “TDS has always believed our rural and suburban customers deserve equal access to high speed broadband services. We fully support all of the government’s initiatives aimed at this common objective.”
More approvals could be forthcoming as the RUS continues its work to meet the September 30, 2010 statutory deadline requiring the agency to distribute all $2.6 billion in federal broadband stimulus funding under their jurisdiction.
“The announcement today demonstrates the trust RUS has in TDS’ ability to deliver quality broadband services,” says Andrew Petersen, director of external affairs and corporate communications for TDS. “We are experienced at providing rural areas with broadband. In fact, over 93 percent of our customers nationwide have access to our high-speed Internet service today. Now we have the opportunity to bring reliable and affordable broadband out to some of our most difficult to reach customers.”
Once contracts are signed, TDS will have twenty-four to thirty-six months to complete construction of these networks. Currently, the company is working on round one projects in Chatham, Mich. and Butler, Ala. Those projects are on track to be completed in 2012.
Summary of TDS broadband expansion project awards nationwide: (See map)
