The USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced they are investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. The funds have been made available through the second round of the ReConnect Program which provides loans and grans to construct/improve/acquire facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. $4.48 million has been made available to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network in rural Texas. A full list of funds available can be found here.