As momentum builds for rural broadband expansion, billions of dollars are up for grabs, and electric cooperatives are serious contenders for federal funding now more than ever.

As we start the new year, expanding access to rural broadband remains one of NRECA's top legislative priorities. More than 200 co-ops are offering retail broadband in 39 states—and that's largely thanks to federal loans and grants that NRECA has fought to make available to its members.

In the debut episode of LiveWire, we zero in on three of those funding streams: the Department of Agriculture's ReConnect program, the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and the recently passed infrastructure bill. Hear from NRECA CEO Jim Matheson as well as Ed VanHoose, general manager of North Central Electric Cooperative in Ohio.

Find out more about LiveWire, NRECA's new video series. Questions or story suggestions? Email Kate.Tillotson@nreca.coop.