Rural Broadband Contract Brings Federal Dollars To Western CO

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe has announced that USDA has awarded a $2.7 million contract to a Utah company for a rural high-speed broadband project that includes work in Dolores County, on the western edge of Colorado. The award is part of a program of funding designed by Congress to create or improve rural e-connectivity.

“These projects are providing critical communications investments in some truly rural areas,” Rupe said. “Through USDA’s ReConnect program, these counties will get access to the latest broadband technology, and that will have a positive economic impact for the farms and ranches, small businesses and families that live in these communities.”

The Colorado contract was awarded to Emery Telecom, of Orangeville, Utah. Emery is receiving $2.7 million to develop a ‘fiber-to-the-premises’ (FTTP) network in Dolores County and neighboring San Juan County in Utah. The investment is anticipated to impact 528 households, 20 farms and ranches and 15 small businesses in the area, including the fire department, sheriff’s office and schools in Dove Creek, Colo.

Emery currently provides phone, TV and internet service to much of eastern and south eastern Utah.

The ReConnect program was funded in 2018 when Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. USDA reviews applications and approves projects on a rolling basis. The Dolores County contract is one of the first awards to be announced.