POTSDAM -- Slic Network Solutions, Inc. will receive nearly $28 million from a broadband expansion program under the federal Recovery Act announced today by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Potsdam-based Slic, using the award of $27,832,767, proposed the construction of 660 miles of fiber optic cable in St Lawrence County.

More than 14,000 people, about 112 local businesses and 30 community institutions stand to benefit from this improved service, the announcement of the award said. "Not only will this project create jobs upfront, it will help drive economic development in the community that creates jobs for years to come," the statement said.

The Slic award is part of 126 projects in 38 states and on Native American tribal areas to receive these awards.

The Recovery Act provided USDA with a total of $2.5 billion to invest in expanding broadband access to rural America.

According to analysis released by the National Economic Council last year, overall Recovery Act investments in broadband are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in the near term and expand economic development and job opportunities in communities that would otherwise be left behind in the new knowledge-based economy.

"The broadband projects announced today will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities," Secretary Vilsack said.