Leading Groups Call on Congress to Address Rural Economic Development

Groups say it is critical that passage of the Farm Bill includes language to promote broadband deployment

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ten leading organizations urged Congress today to focus on economic development in rural areas of the country. The organizations, representing rural communities across the country, stressed that broadband deployment, coupled with transportation, education and library services, is essential in stimulating economic development in rural America.

"Spurring the development of rural economies is not only important for individuals living in those communities, it's essential for the broader success of our country in a global market," stated Leroy Watson, Legislative Director of the National Grange. "With a combined population and economic output that is larger than most of the nations of the European Union, the communities of "Rural America" are our nation's secret weapons in the competition to efficiently serve the markets of the 21st century."

Title VI of the Farm Bill, contains key language that addresses rural development. Title VI includes the Connect the Nation Act which creates a competitive matching grant for state/local governments, private industry and labor to work together to determine where broadband is needed and to deploy high speed Internet to those areas. A recent study conducted by Connected Nation shows the economic stimulus of increased broadband availability and use is substantial -- $134 billion annually inthe United States

"Broadband provisions contained in the Farm Bill would enable statewide broadband mapping and demand aggregation activities. These provisions provide a proven and rapid tool for the federal government to connect rural America and improve the economy," said Phillip Brown, National Policy Director of Connected Nation. "The farm bill should make every effort to help rural America, including bipartisan and widely supported language to promote broadband deployment under the successful Connected Nation model."

"Agriculture is at the heart of our rural economies. Competiveness in this area requires real time information delivered in an efficient and convenient manner," said Jess Peterson, Director of Government Relations for the U.S. Cattlemen Association. "Access to information, such as product prices, weather patterns, soil conditions and insurance programs are all critical to the success of America's farmers."

"A robustly funded Rural Development Title should be a priority in the Farm Bill because it strengthens the vitality of rural communities and our nation's economy as a whole," stated Erik Johnston, Associate Legislative Director with the National Association of Counties.

Additional sections of the Rural Development Title include: extensions of telemedicine and distance learning programs; a comprehensive rural broadband strategy that require communication between Federal Agencies; rural hospital loans and grants; rural firefighters and emergency services assistance programs; and grants to improve technical infrastructure and improve quality of rural health care facilities.

Organizations included: National Grange, National Farmers Union, U.S. Cattlemen Association, National Rural Health Association, National Association of Counties, Connected Nation, National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association, Rural Policy Research Institute, National Association of Development Organizations and American Library Association.

The National Grange (www.nationalgrange.org) is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with 2,800 state county and local grassroots chapters in 37 states. Grange members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, energy security education, family endeavors and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. Over the past 140 years, the Grange has evolved to represent non-farm rural families and communities as well as the traditional interests of family farmers and ranchers.

SOURCE National Grange Foundation

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