WASHINGTON- Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded a $3,666,000 conditional commitment for a loan to Bernard Telephone Company, Inc. through the Telecommunications Loan Program.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the company will use the funds to install a system wide buried fiber-to-the-premise broadband system and upgrade the transport system.
“These funds will help make system wide improvements to Bernard’s telecommunications system and improve communication services for Bernard area residents,” Grassley said.
Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants and loans from the federal government. The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual’s ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity administering the funds.