IRVING, NY – Rep. Tom Reed is proud to announce $544,000 in ReConnect funding from the United States Department of Agriculture for Seneca Telecommunications, LLC. These funds will be used to deploy a fiber-to-premises network that will connect 928 people, five farms, and a business to high-speed broadband internet in Cattaraugus, Erie, and Chautauqua counties.

“A reliable connection to high-speed internet is critical for our families, schools, farmers, and local businesses,” said Rep. Tom Reed. “Ensuring our rural areas have access to innovative broadband networks like these has long been a priority, which is why we fought to secure this funding. We are pleased to see this support will serve the communities of Cattaraugus, Erie, and Chautauqua counties moving forward.”

This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program.

“Broadband is a cornerstone to prosperity in New York’s rural communities because it is essential to economic development, as well as access to health care, educational opportunities, and connections to people and services,” USDA New York State Director for Rural Development Richard Mayfield said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in deploying this critical infrastructure in New York and across all of America’s rural communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

To learn more about ReConnect Program eligibility, technical assistance, and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.