USDA announces Junction City to host ReConnect Technical Assistance Workshop

Topeka, Kan. – The United States Department of Agriculture announced that the ReConnect Technical Assistance Workshop will be held on April 16-17, 2019, in Junction City, Kansas.

This regional workshop will allow applicants to gain a stronger understanding of the application process and ReConnect Program requirements, while providing stakeholders with information about the funding opportunity announcement released in December 2018. Specific details regarding the technical, financial, and program management requirements will also be discussed.

“USDA Rural Development is excited to be able to partner with organizations not just here in Kansas, but across the country to bring reliable and affordable broadband to rural areas,” said Lynne Hinrichsen, USDA Rural Development’s State Director for Kansas.  “The ReConnect program is providing a new and innovative solution for funding broadband development in rural communities in Kansas and our region, and leverages financing options with partners.”

This two-day workshop will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16 and 17, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Junction City: 310 Hammons Drive, Junction City, KS 66441.

Pre-registration for this event is required. Registration can be done at this link.

“The reality is that too many of our rural communities lack access to quality, affordable advanced broadband services” said Kansas Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers. “The USDA’s Rural Broadband ReConnect program is a major step in the right direction and will help make it possible for needed critical infrastructure to reach all corners of our great state.”

Lt. Governor Rogers met with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently to discuss how rural communities in Kansas can be more accurately identified and facilitate access to the range of federal resources available to expand broadband deployments where it’s needed most.

USDA will host six workshops for the ReConnect Program during the months of April and May this year. These regional workshops will take place throughout the United States with locations in the northeast, southeast, southwest, midwest and pacific northwest.

Dates, locations, and registration for these workshops will be announced on the ReConnect website in the following weeks.

About the ReConnect Program

The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband.

• The awards made under this program will bring high-speed broadband to rural areas that lack sufficient access to
• The delivery of broadband connection and high-quality service will enable technologies critical to rural communities, such as precision

The pilot program will fuel long-term economic development and opportunities in rural America.