For those of us working in rural communities that a critical element is the availability of broadband access to the Internet. Many of us in Small Town USA are relying on an aging telecommunications infrastructure and have inadequate utility services.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack understand that folks in our small towns and rural communities are an important part of our economic base and will help lead the way to a healthy balanced economy for our nation. In rural America — where our values as a nation and our “can do” attitude as a people are rooted. USDA Rural Development has made record infrastructure investments that strengthen the rural economy, support rural communities, and maximize opportunity for folks who call rural America home.
Since 2009, USDA has invested in new and improved broadband service for nearly 7 million rural Americans and more than 360,000 rural businesses. These project create jobs during construction and even more jobs when the networks become operational and are available to rural communities and their residents.
Through distance learning and telemedicine programs, the availability of health care and educational opportunity for rural families has increased all across the country.
Rural America is the strength of our nation and the future of our economy in the long run. With their support, USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring that the hard-working people across America’s rural landscape can look to the future and not fear being left behind.
