Walden’s rural broadband expansion efforts pay off for Oregon

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), who continues working to narrow the urban/rural digital divide, commended a recently announced $6 million federal grant award to expand broadband in two rural counties in Oregon.

“This funding is critical to help make sure Oregonians can participate in the 21st-century economy regardless of where they live,” Rep. Walden said on Tuesday.

The funds are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect Pilot program and will permit some 600 new customers in Grant and Wheeler counties to access high-speed broadband.

Rep. Walden in March helped secure the USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program funds in a government funding bill as part of his ongoing efforts to expand rural broadband in Oregon.

“I want to thank Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and the Trump administration for recognizing the need to expand rural broadband in Oregon,” said Rep. Walden. “Far too many Oregonians still lack access to reliable broadband internet service and thus access to things like telemedicine, remote learning, next-generation emergency services, and video streaming because of insufficient Internet service.

“This is a step in the right direction, and I will continue to work to help further expand rural broadband in Oregon,” he added.

Specifically, the $6 million grant will help Oregon Telephone Corp. expand broadband access and capacity with 89 miles of fiber optic lines, with an overall expansion impact reaching 418 households, 22 businesses, 22 farms, three schools, and two fire stations, according to the lawmaker’s office.