Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said today that the USDA will invest $40 million to give high-speed internet connectivity to those living and working in rural New Mexico.
The news reflects President Biden’s Investing in America agenda goals of rebuilding our economy from the middle out and bottom-up through investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Act Includes Internet Funding
The funding comes from the National Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which set aside $65 billion for internet expansion across the United States – the greatest investment in broadband and connectivity ever made.
The $40 million for New Mexico will benefit hundreds of rural residents. The timetable for when communities will see the benefits of these grants is unknown. It will vary, according to Vilsack, depending on the contractors’ timelines and the intricacy of the projects.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who was there with the rest of the state’s Congressional Delegation, said it’s not a cheap project, but everyone needs reliable internet no matter where they reside.
Vilsack stated that the Affordable Connectivity Program, which discounts internet and broadband services, and the Lifeline Program, which lowers phone services, can help low-income New Mexicans in rural regions afford reliable internet and phone plans.
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Providing Assistance To Farmers
Better internet, according to Vilsack, might benefit farmers and ranchers. He stated that in those industries, activities like marketing and exports rely on good broadband.
An agriculturalist who spoke at the gathering, Mary Alice Garay, agreed. She runs a Chile farming business with her family and says assistance is definitely needed, especially for farmers who lack technical knowledge of broadband.
Vilsack also believes that internet assistance for rural towns will inspire people to stay in the state or possibly entice those who have left to return. He contended that by linking small and medium-sized farms to high-speed broadband, workers would earn more money and be able to stay in New Mexico.
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