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Thompson: farmers, rural America needs connectivity

House Ag Ranking Member Glenn GT Thompson says ending the digital divide is critical to farmers and rural America.

“Agriculture today is very sophisticated in terms of science, technology, and innovation,” he says. “When you look at precision agriculture and the application of precision agriculture, that requires connectivity. There’s so much that can be accomplished there in terms of managing both efficiency and productivity. There are positive economic and climates outcomes.”

Yesterday, House Ag Republicans introduced the Broadband for Rural America Act, a bill that would authorize more than $7 billion for USDA connectivity programs.

Thompson says the scope and goals of the legislation are long overdue.   

“We’re finally breaking that paradigm of limping along when it comes to rural connectivity,” he says. “I think this Broadband for Rural America Act gives the need for rural connectivity emphasis.”

The proposal also targets limited resources so that assistance is focused on the most rural and least-connected residents.