Million in Broadband Funding Announced

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem and the Governor’s Offi  ce  of Economic Development announced the latest ConnectSD  broadband grants. These awards will make quality, high-speed  internet available to underserved households in South Dakota.

Over $32 million in grants were awarded for 13 projects from  9 applicants. These projects will leverage private matching  dollars for a total investment of over $47 million in broadband  infrastructure statewide, connecting 3,137 households, farms,  and businesses.

The following is a list of the awardees and location:

• Venture Vison – Stanley County, Rural Ft. Pierre, North  West Lower Brule Reservation, $8,681,523;

• Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. –  South East of Leserville, Rural Utica, $1,768,976;

• Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. –  Rapid Valley, West New Underwood, Caputa, $5,216,655;

• Leap Communications, LLC – Rural South of Lennox,  $440,000;

• Leap Communications, LLC – Rural Irene, Mayfield,  $3,533,900;

• Long Lines Broadband (dba, Jefferson Telephone  Company, LLC) – Rural Elk Point (Going North East &  West of I-29), $1,219,176;

• Alliance Communications Cooperative, Inc. – Rural  Beresford, Union Groves St. Pk, Nora SD (East & West  of I-29), $5,148,021;

• Hanson Communications Inc (dba, Mt. Rushmore  Telephone Company) – Keystone-Hermosa Areas,  $954,663;

• Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Ashland Heights,  Sheridan Lake RD, Peaceful Pines, Ridgeview, Blackhawk,  $2,675,151;

• Midco (Midcontinent Communications) – Rural area west  of the City of Yankton, $530,461;

• SDN Communications – SF Public Safety Building/State  Radio Location, $34,320;

• Gallatin Wireless Internet LLC (dba, Celerity Internet) –  South East of Spearfi sh, Eagle Ridge, Eagle Crest (South  of I-90), $725,643; and,

• Gallatin Wireless Internet LLC (dba, Celerity Internet) –  North of Rapid City, Haines Ave, East of Piedmont, South  from Elk Creek Rd, $1,533,288. ■