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Economic significance of rural America

rural road

A new study on rural broadband highlights the economic significance of rural America.

The Hudson Institute report, commissioned by the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), says rural internet providers contributed more than $24 billion dollars to state economies in 2015.

FRS executive director Jessica Golden tells Brownfield there is so much potential in rural communities.

“This Hudson paper is something that we will be using on Capitol Hill and at the FCC (as well as) in talking to folks both locally and nationally, just to continue to spread awareness about rural relevance.  We face a lot of challenges today as an industry and anyone from a rural community.”

The study found that urban areas benefit the most from rural broadband usage.

“Of this total amount, only $8.2 billion (34 percent) of that $24.1 billion generated by rural telecom companies went to rural areas.  The other 66 percent goes to urban areas.”

Golden says the report brings home the message that investing in rural broadband strengthens the entire U.S. economy.

 

 

 

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