Rural Communities Benefit From Broadband Access

On August 18, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a news release highlighting the results from a recent study conducted by economists at the department’s Economic Research Service. The analysis essentially found that rural access to broadband Internet provides greater economic growth potential for rural communities.

The study is entitled ‘“Broadband Internet’s Value for Rural America.”’ The economist who conducted the study compared data from rural counties that had broadband access by 2000 with “similarly situated” counties with little to no broadband access. To findings, perhaps, not too shocking. “Employment growth was higher and non-farm private earnings greater in counties with a longer history of broadband availability.”

For his part, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack stated in the release that ‘“access to broadband is a catalyst for economic development.”’ According to the study there is a relatively considerable discrepancy between rural and urban Internet access. While 84% of urban households with Internet access had a broadband connection, only 70% of rural household with in-home Internet access had a broadband connection.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contained $7.2 billion for the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service “to accelerate broadband deployment” in rural, "unserved," and "underserved" markets. To read the broadband study or to read the USDA news release click here.

Posted: 08/24/09