Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has introduced the Expanding Rural Access to Broadband Act. She plans to work with House Ag Committee Chairman Michael Conaway to get the measure included in the next farm bill. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says having access to dependable broadband services is key to the growth of the rural economy.
Hartzler’s bill would modify the Rural Utilities Telecommunications loan program to include loan guarantees, find ways to incentivize private investment and streamline loan applications for broadband deployment. Lehman says the measure’s introduction is timely with Congress drafting the farm bill.
He says without the availability of broadband it hampers not only agricultural expansion, but also business expansion.
Hartzler serves on the Ag Committee which oversees the Rural Utilities Service.
