Rural Broadband Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Jefferson, Klickitat, Snohomish, and Lewis counties here in Washington state just got a high-tech boost from the USDA’s ReConnect program to improve rural broadband.Washington Farm Bureau president Rosella Mosby says, in this fast-changing world, this will help more of our producers be better engaged …
MOSBY … “Which is the second largest economy in the state. And so, making sure that our sector stays healthy and well connected so can be a positive part of how Washington moves forward. I mean, I view that as being the most important thing to take a look at.”
What it comes down to, Mosby says is efficiency …
MOSBY … “In the end, I mean, we’re trying to be as efficient as possible and we still have to kind of take time to be with our families and be part of our communities and, you know, anything that can kind of help us be tech-savvy in the process, I think that’s a good thing.”
And this, Mosby says impacts everyone …
MOSBY … “the rural areas is where all those things we depend on to live are produced, most of it. So, if we’re not making sure that those folks are well connected, that kind of hurts all of us in the end.”
Mosby says we need it to keep up …
MOSBY … “As everybody else has access, it just makes our lives happen faster.”
The Reconnect awards total over $51 million in grants and over $25 million in loans.