Pilot broadband cost overrun grant

The Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Co was awarded a $1,512,185 Project Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service on March 29, 2023 to support broadband cost overruns through March 29, 2025. The grant funding will support the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants program, which aims to improve access to telemedicine and distance learning technologies for rural communities through telecommunications and network infrastructure projects. Specifically, the grant award will assist Farmers Mutual Communications with unexpected costs associated with expanding broadband access in Moulton, Iowa to enable residents to access educational and medical services remotely. The award is consistent with the goals of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine program to leverage telecom technologies for health and education benefits in underserved rural areas.