USDA endorses broadband expansion

by | Feb 15, 2019 | 5 Ag Stories, News

When electricity was brought to commercial distribution, it went to cities first. That was in the 1880?s.

It took until the 1930?s for electricity to reach farms and homes in rural America.

Now we are in the internet generation and are over 20 years into the era where urban and suburban homes and businesses have high speed service, but rural areas do not.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took the lead in the 1930?s with rural electrification and are doing so now with its modern descendant: the Rural Utilities Service.

The Acting Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service is Bette Brand. She spoke to me this week regarding a new program to give rural communities incentive and guidance to bring high speed internet to their homes and businesses.

AUDIO: Profit Matters 2-15-19

For more information about rural broadband, visit www.rd.usda.gov.