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Craig welcomes latest round of rural broadband funding

A member of the House Agriculture Committee is encouraged by the latest round of broadband funding.

Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig tells Brownfield precision agriculture has made it critical that farmers have access to high-speed internet.

“That is one area where I am so proud we’re going to deliver $100 million to Minnesota in broadband funding on a bipartisan basis, which is pretty hard to come by in the town of Washington.”

USDA recently announced it will award up to $150 million in loans, up to $300 million in loan-grant combinations, and $700 million in grants to bring high-speed internet to rural America.

Craig says the dollars will enable rural communities to expand.

“People can live anywhere and work anywhere these days in a lot of different businesses, so having that in the ground gives these communities options (like) do I want to grow? Do I want to develop? Do I not?”

She says rural healthcare is another priority and she wants to make sure telehealth is strong by ensuring people have access to broadband. 

Brownfield interviewed Craig Tuesday at Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls.