The USDA announced that businesses in Washington and Hamilton counties would receive a total of over $5 million in new financing through the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program to expand internet access. This investment comes from the bi-partisan infrastructure law passed earlier this year, which guaranteed an overall total of $65 billion for broadband services, focusing on unserved and underserved communities – including Iowa.

Washington County received a loan and a grant of approximately $880,000 to implement a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 463 people, 59 farms, and 11 businesses to high-speed internet. As part of the new infrastructure law, Washington Municipal Airport also received a grant of approximately $129,000 earlier this year to increase energy efficiency and provide greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities.