AARP Offers Programs To Help Strengthen Rural Communities

For the farming community to survive, and thrive, rural communities need to be Strengthened.  And for AARP, that effort is a priority.  AARP’s Sean Voskuhl said there are many ways to do so, including a new program that offers affordable, high-speed internet, to families.

“The recent Affordable Connectivity Program provides high-speed internet access to eligible households at a discount of $30 a month, and $75 for those on tribal lands. More than 11.8 million households are already enrolled in the program, which replaced the temporary, pandemic-inspired Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This is especially helpful for rural families that may have access to high-speed internet, but can’t afford it.”

Meanwhile Voskuhl pointed out AARP’s Community Challenge Grant, now in its 6^th dedicated more than 40% of grants to rural communities.  And added there were over 3,200 applications and funding for 260 projects, totaling $3.4 million.  AARP also offers the Rural Livability Archive, which Voskuhl said provides a roadmap for rural areas to follow while improving their community.

“The AARP Rural Livability Archive offers a collection of publications and articles about rural livability. And, about a quarter of Age-Friendly Communities are rural. The archive contains a mix of best practices, research, ideas, slideshows, interviews, how-to's, publications and information about age-friendly efforts throughout the nation.”

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