Administration Continues To Promote Rural Boradband

Expanding high speed Internet access to rural areas is getting top level attention in Washington, DC.  At a recent committee hearing, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said rural broadband is a top priority.  Aside from the President's Infrastructure plan, which still needs congressional approval, there are several grant and loan programs for rural broadband expansion.

"Frankly all the federal government has not really deployed the broadband money in a strategic way," said Ross.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says sometimes money has been spent on broadband projects in areas that already have service.  He said the mix up typically can be blamed on maps that are inaccurate about where broadband coverage exists.

"With commerce and FCC to make sure we have got the facts on the ground of strategically how we need to deploy," said Perdue.

He added they will also work on putting tax dollars and broadband service where it is needed most.

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