BTC Fiber Project

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Blackduck Telephone Company Receives $5.745 Million From USDA Rural Development

BLACKDUCK, Minn. May 31 – Blackduck Telephone Company was recently awarded a $5.745 million low-interest loan from Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The majority of the funds will be used for fiber cable to provide broadband Internet access to the Blackduck Exchange area.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to continue a century-plus tradition of providing the latest in telecommunications services to our customers,” said Bob Gannon, General Manager of Blackduck Telephone Company. “As a small rural company with roots embedded in the Blackduck area, we are continually working to ensure a positive economic future for our area.  Ensuring that our customers have telecommunications services on par with those offered in metropolitan areas is one way in which we can help promote a healthy economic environment.”

USDA Rural Development has invested over $2.1 billion throughout Minnesota since 2001. The agency has funding available for housing, clean water, hospitals, emergency response equipment, job creation, economic development and other vital community infrastructure.

“We’re the arm of the USDA that carries out President Bush’s vision of a strong rural America,” said Steve Wenzel, State Director of USDA Rural Development in Minnesota. “Providing funding for modern communication technology is at the front of that vision.”

For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn, or call the local office in Bemidji at (218) 751-2689.

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