Earlier this spring, the Iowa Legislature passed House File 848, which sets the stage for investment into the state?s rural broadband framework. On top of that President Biden?s proposed infrastructure plan includes $100 billion in funding for rural broadband expansion.
This topic is nothing new for us in Iowa, or anywhere in rural America. We have all heard the stories about kids sitting outside the local McDonalds so they can do their homework. We have fought for these upgrades for some time, but it took the pandemic for the rest of America to really take notice of the need. It is amazing how you can get their attention when the food chain is disrupted.
During our monthly podcast, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and I talked about the importance of rural broadband, and how we need to take advantage of the attention being paid to us. We have been waiting for these upgrades for far too long.
Naig says that it is important that Iowa continue its tradition of more bipartisan efforts to bring Iowa?s needs to the forefront. He says it starts in the state legislature where there is a smaller divide of urban and rural representation, but it is much more massive at the Federal level. He applauds the efforts of the Iowa Government, Governor Reynolds, and the whole Congressional delegation for reminding Washington that there are people out there who need services just like anyplace else in the country, and we are having to scrape and scratch to get them. He would like to see the momentum carried beyond broadband as well.
Naig added that it does not stop at broadband or biofuels. We need to see housing options, childcare support, educational needs met, and on and on. Iowa and the rest of rural America are contributing a lot to the American economy. It should not be unreasonable to ask to have the same capabilities and opportunities that more urban areas take for granted.
Secretary Naig also discussed Foreign Animal Disease education and prevention as another area where we need to see more support from the Federal level. We have discussed, in the past, the need for more inspectors, a robust vaccine bank, and funding available to combat any disease if one should show up.
Representative Axne commented to me that for the first time, ?Rural America? is a term floating through the halls of Congress. We need to seize the initiative. Keep calling those representatives. Work through your organizations. Do not take the foot off the gas now. We have momentum. We had better take advantage of it.
