This $14,897,236 Project Grant was awarded on June 10, 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.855). The grant recipient is Steelville Telephone Exchange, Inc., a for-profit telecommunications company operating in Steelville, Missouri.
The purpose of this two-year project is to enhance broadband infrastructure and telecommunications capabilities in the rural community of Steelville to support distance learning and telemedicine initiatives. Key deliverables include implementing broadband connectivity upgrades, deploying telecommunications-enabled equipment, and expanding access to critical education and healthcare resources through advanced technologies. This grant award contributes to the DLT program's broader goal of improving rural access to essential services by leveraging innovative telecommunications solutions.