(KAIR)--$6.6 million in federal dollars is earmarked for a Holton telecommunications company as part of ongoing efforts to expand high speed internet in Kansas.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a loan of $6,630,755 " will help J.B.N. Telephone Company, Inc., of Holton, deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to provide high-speed internet," with the network to benefit 329 people, seven businesses and 178 farms in Cloud, Republic and Washington counties.

USDA Rural Development Kansas Director Christy Davis says the funds will "connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in northeast Kansas to reliable high-speed internet," with Davis, in the release, explaining that "keeping Kansans connected…brings new opportunities and better economic security.” She credits USDA- ReConnect Program for providing the investment that she says "will drive economic security and rural prosperity for generations to come.”