NTCA joined a coalition of 24 rural organizations to send a joint letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging support for the ReConnecting Rural America Act amid ongoing consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill.

According to the text of the proposed ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023, the bill would assist in the form of grants, loans, and combinations of grants and loans for the costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in rural areas.

An essential requirement to participate in the program would require any applicant to ensure they will provide at least 100 Mbps symmetrical services. It would also prioritize awards to areas where at least 90 percent of households lack 100/20 Mbps connectivity.

The group said the legislation would make USDA’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program permanent and ensure networks built leveraging program funds would deliver symmetrical speeds.

“The needs of rural consumers must determine the minimum speed and other performance criteria for receiving federal funding and not set by the maximum capabilities some in the industry feel they can offer,” said the group in the letter (PDF). “We, therefore, encourage you to prioritize symmetrical speeds and scalable networks in Farm Bill broadband programs, recognizing the lasting impacts that robust broadband can have on rural economic growth, development, and quality of life. We thank you for your time and look forward to working with you on this critical issue.

This bill has plenty of Congressional support. Senators Welch and Marshall in the Senate and Representatives Nunn, Craig, LaHood, and Sorensen and others in the House introduced the “ReConnecting Rural America Act.”

“Given our shared interest in ensuring the long-term success and well-being of rural America, we hope that you would consider this legislation as you continue negotiations on the 2023 Farm Bill,” said the group. “This is a time when public policy plays an important role in helping to build and sustain broadband in rural markets that would not otherwise justify such investments and ongoing operations.”

Supporting Organizations

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

National Cooperative Business Association

USA Rice

Power and Communication Contractors Association

National Rural Economic Developers Association

National Rural Education Association

Fiber Broadband Association

Utilities Technology Council

National Pork Producers Council

National Turkey Federation

Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Rural Community College Alliance

Farm Credit Council

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

National Sorghum Producers

Land O’Lakes, Inc.

National Milk Producers Federation

U.S. Peanut Federation

National Association of Home Builders

The Fertilizer Institute

National Corn Growers Association

American Soybean Association