The Department of Agriculture unveiled a resource guide to help facilitate broadband connection deployment in rural areas. The e-Connectivity Toolkit is a free PDF file listing over 27 programs that are intended to assist potential customers locate projects and resources to develop potential broadband initiatives, USDA said Wednesday.
The file includes information on technical assistance programs, loan services and grants under the agency’s various mission areas. Anne Hazlett, assistance to the secretary for rural development at USDA, said the guide allows users to view the agency’s resources and support broadband expansion in U.S. rural locations. The effort is under the agency’s Rural Development program which provides economic and employment opportunities through grants and loan assistance.
President Trump formed the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to validate policy changes that can market agricultural programs to rural communities.