MEMPHIS, Tenn. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Friday the first of many federal investments targeting the creation of critical broadband internet infrastructure in underserved rural areas across the country.

Perdue visited the West Tennessee city of Halls to announce a $2.85 million grant to improve broadband internet connectivity for 347 households and one community facility over an area of 435 square miles in rural Lauderdale County.

In a town hall meeting later in Memphis, Perdue said the Forked Deer Electric Cooperative will use the ReConnect Program grant to deploy fiber to the co-op’s home broadband network. The fiber is capable of transmission rates of 100 megabits per second.

Rural areas around the country have been clamoring for more high-speed internet access for use in schools, libraries, homes and businesses such as farms. Congress has provided $600 million to the Agriculture Department to expand broadband infrastructure and services in the rural U.S. More funding will be announced later this year in the form of loans, grants, and a combination of the two.

Perdue said the funding will “bridge the gap” between urban in rural areas when it comes to quality of life and productivity of businesses.

Nearly 3 million students around the country who face struggles keeping up with their studies because they must make do without home internet.