Anderson Testifies at House Subcommittee Hearing

News Date October 24, 2007

       The Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing on October 23 to discuss broadband Internet connections in rural America. Curtis Anderson, deputy administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, provided the subcommittee with an overview of broadband loan programs, which includes 79 loans totaling $1.35 billion to finance 40 state projects.

       "Broadband availability is rapidly becoming as basic to communities as telephone, electricity and running water, and USDA Rural Development has been committed to bringing broadband service to rural America," Anderson stated. He further noted that Rural Development is continually looking for ways to improve the deployment of broadband to unserved and underserved communities and to farmers and ranchers. The agency is currently working through comments and suggestions that will be made into a final rule, amending the Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee program that will make it more effective. This rule is expected to address the issue of limited internet connectivity in rural areas throughout the U.S., as only 25 percent of rural Americans have broadband access.

       Anderson closed his testimony by saying that local leadership is the key in moving more communication resources to farming regions, which "can be an effective complement to state, local, and industry efforts." Anderson served as NASDA's chief financial officer before he was appointed to serve at USDA.

       Others organizations and businesses testifying included: the Center for American Progress; the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District; the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation; the National Cable and Telecommunications Association; the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association; and Open Range Communications, Inc. (Contact: Alexandra Lee)