The Needs of Rural Americans Have Been Ignored For Too Long

America’s food and energy supplies largely rely on the production of rural America. The agriculture industry provides almost 10% of total U.S. employment and agriculture exports were $177B in 2021. Energy in the form of coal, gas, oil, wind, and solar come from rural areas and 20% of manufacturing in the United States happens in rural America.

Rural America is essential to the American economy, but their needs are still left largely unattended to.

More than 30 million Americans lack adequate access to broadband, and many rural areas lack the proper infrastructure to support it. Rural Americans are in need of better broadband access to support their farms and to connect to the rest of the country.  

Private investment should be aimed at areas that lack connection rather than areas that are looking to be bolstered through a second connection. Prioritizing underserved markets will help the rural producers that make America a strong exporter and energy provider. An increased connection in rural areas will assist farmers and manufacturers as they utilize technology to provide for Americans and members of the international community.

Even though American broadband is reasonably priced, millions of Americans do not have access to it. Bridging the digital divide can be accomplished by prioritizing rural communities and investing in increasing their broadband access.

Therefore, TAPP urges policymakers to bridge the digital divide and support legislation that provides incentives for companies to expand broadband access.