U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced July 27 USDA is inviting comments on the implementation of the e-Connectivity Pilot Program established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 on March 23, 2018.

USDA is developing this pilot program to catalyze private investment and bring broadband to unserved rural areas of the country. The new program provides a unique opportunity to develop modern methods to leverage federal funds to increase private investment in broadband services for as many rural American homes, businesses, farms, schools and health care facilities as possible.

“I have traveled extensively across the nation, and everywhere I go I have heard how important broadband is to rural Americans,” Perdue said. “Reliable and affordable internet e-Connectivity truly is the key to prosperity in the 21st century, and I’m pleased Congress recognized this need and has provided this critical funding. Broadband e-Connectivity is the next interstate highway system of global commerce, and connecting rural areas to broadband will be a game-changer for our entire nation. It is not just a federal issue; our success will be forged through partnerships.”

Learn more in the USDA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA.