Rural Broadband Is Key to 21st Century Success

(Note: The following Letter to the Editor has been edited to meet our guideline of 300 words or less):

"In the 21st century, the internet has become an integral part of Americans' lives. Unfortunately, too many communities around the country lack access to this critical resource.  While nearly all of urban America has access to both fixed and mobile broadband, only two-thirds of rural citizens have that same access. This disparity, which affects more than 24 million Americans, is unacceptable. Congress simply cannot allow rural communities to be left behind.

As the leaders of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship, we hosted a bipartisan field hearing in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to learn from those who understand this need firsthand.  We heard from witnesses representing small businesses, local farms, and even schools about the challenges they experience in accessing reliable broadband.

The field hearing built on stories the committee has already heard from folks like Dan Stelpflug of Postville, who explained that inadequate access to high-speed broadband in rural Iowa is discouraging businesses investment and holding back local economies. Inaccurate federal maps of broadband coverage make it more difficult for communities to secure grants to improve their high-speed broadband coverage.

It's time to narrow the gap in broadband access, and we know that solving this problem will require a team effort. Over the past several years, Congress has enacted several bipartisan efforts to increase the amount of resources available to these communities, but many programs remain underutilized. This week, we returned to Capitol Hill with a renewed commitment to this commonsense, bipartisan effort.

As technology continues to progress, our communities – in all parts of the country – must continue moving forward. Together, we are working to help Congress meet this challenge."