USDA Awards $11.7M to Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to Expand High-Speed Internet

(Portland, Ore., Oct. 5, 2026) - USDA Rural Development Oregon State Director Jim Carmack today announced the agency is awarding $11,710,860 in grant funds to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) to expand high-speed internet access in rural Lincoln County.

"USDA's investments in high-speed internet are helping rural Americans thrive right where they are: building businesses, accessing education and health care, and fully participating in today's digital world," said Carmack. "We congratulate the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for their leadership and responsiveness to the needs of their community. Their vision with this investment will deliver lasting prosperity and support the long-term vitality of rural Oregon."

CTSI will deploy a fiber high-speed internet network to connect households south of the City of Siletz, the Town of Fruitvale west of Toledo, and homes along Yaquina Bay Road and Hidden Valley Road. This investment will bring reliable, affordable broadband to this northwestern Oregon area, advancing access to education, telehealth, local commerce, public safety, and long-term economic opportunity.

"Broadband is the connection, but opportunity is what we are really building. For the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, this investment is about our people and our ability to shape our own future. It begins with bringing reliable broadband to rural households, opening doors to education, health care, employment, workforce development, business opportunities, and essential services through this funding," said CTSI Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Norton. "But the lasting impact will be the capacity we build within the Tribe and the surrounding community, developing the workforce and expertise to sustain this infrastructure. That is what digital sovereignty means to us: not simply having access to technology but building the knowledge and capacity to shape our own digital future and ensure this investment continues to serve our community for generations."

This project is funded through USDA Rural Development's ReConnect Loan and Grant Program , which provides financing to construct, improve, and expand broadband internet service in rural areas that don't have sufficient access to it for modern life.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with programs to promote rural prosperity. These programs expand access to high-speed internet, electricity, and infrastructure, and support economic growth, healthcare, education, housing and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway and learn more about the agency at www.rd.usda.gov/or .

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