Press release
WASHINGTON— Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invested $40 million to provide broadband service in the Second District of Oklahoma.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, access to broadband has become more important than ever,” Mullin said. “Our rural communities need reliable internet access for telehealth services, remote learning for students, and businesses to continue to operate. I am glad the USDA made this investment that will greatly improve connectivity in these rural communities.”
“With Broadband the next progression in the evolution of the communications chain, it is necessary to get fiber connectivity out to the consumers and businesses because of its scalability and longevity,” said Mark Gailey, President and GM of Totah Communications, Inc. “That is specifically what Totah is planning to do. We were an awardee in the last stimulus program with a Loan/Grant combination. That worked well for us to connect all of our offices together with fiber and increase the reliability of our network. With that in mind we applied for the Re-Connect 50% Loan and 50% grant program. Rural consumers and urban consumers benefit when everyone has the connectivity needed for business, education, Telemedicine, and entertainment.”
Totah Communications Inc. is receiving an $18.9 million loan and an $18.9 million grant to construct 621 miles of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband infrastructure.
This award will extend broadband availability to 8,155 residents, 20 farms and 15 businesses in Rogers, Nowata, Washington and Osage counties in Oklahoma; and Montgomery and Chautauqua counties in Kansas.
Cross Cable Television LLC is receiving a $2.2 million USDA grant to construct a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in LeFlore and McIntosh counties in Oklahoma. This project will benefit 265 residents, 13 farms and six businesses.
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