Stimulus funds support broadband expansion

GRANITE FALLS -- MVTV will be receiving $562,776 in a low-interest loan and $562,776 in grant funds for its broadband expansion project through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will be matching the monies with $281,388 in private investment, according to a recent announcement by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The company will expand broadband to rural areas termed "underserved'' due to the lack or limited availability of affordable broadband service.

The goal of the expansion is to create jobs in the region by providing farmers, existing rural businesses and new entrepreneurs with the broadband access they need, according to Dan Richter, president of MVTV.