Socket was awarded $23.7 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build a fiber-optic network in rural Callaway County and parts of Fulton, Mo.

• $16.6 million grant
• $7.1 million loan

The project will serve 3,033 premises.

• 2,728 homes
• 269 businesses
• 36 critical community institutions

An estimated 525 jobs will be created as a result of the project.

• 65 direct area jobs
  • 20 local direct Socket jobs
  • 45 local contract labor jobs
• 460 indirect jobs, including
  • 348 construction and engineering jobs
  • 112 indirect jobs in other categories

The project will allow Socket to deliver local telephone, high-definition television and high-speed Internet up to 20 Mbps to area residents and businesses.

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ATTENTION REPORTERS:

View updates, maps and more details of this project at www.socket.net/fiber.