Big Sky Times

$58 million investment to serve 12 Montana counties

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated recent investments to expand access to reliable broadband in western, northwest, and northeast Montana.

“Access to reliable broadband provides Montanans with new opportunities to receive an education, access health care services via telehealth, thrive in a good-paying job, and stay connected with family and loved ones,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I look forward to the impact of these new projects in communities across our state.”

The three grants, representing a $58 million investment in broadband expansion, will serve 12 Montana counties in remote western, northwest, and northeast Montana.

First, InterBel Telephone Cooperative Inc. received nearly $12.1 million to deploy high-speed internet to 951 Montanans, 36 businesses, and 11 farms and ranches in Lincoln and Flathead counties.

Second, Nemont Telephone Cooperative Inc. received nearly $35 million to deploy high-speed internet to 2,350 Montanans, 115 businesses, 63 farms and ranches, and 18 schools in Phillips, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley counties.

Third, Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Inc. received nearly $11.8 million to bring high-speed internet to 42 underserved or unserved Montana communities in Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, and Beaverhead counties.

The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Expanding access to reliable broadband is a central element of Governor Gianforte’s Montana Comeback Plan.

Original source can be found here