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Perdue says pandemic shines light on importance of rural broadband connectivity
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more attention to the need for better broadband connectivity in rural America.
“I think this pandemic has helped us understand how the digital divide truly does divide us, with the haves and have-nots,” Perdue says. “The lack of being able to congregate in places where we usually do has almost mandated the necessity of connectivity.”
Perdue says there are many reasons why rural Americans need better connectivity.
“Distance learning for your children when they can no longer go to school. Telemedicine, maybe for yourself or elderly parents when they can’t go to the doctor. And certainly, e-commerce or precision agriculture.”
Perdue made his comments during a virtual news conference announcing USDA funding for broadband projects in rural New Mexico, as part of the agency’s ReConnect Program.