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Rural broadband a priority for non-profit

Making broadband more accessible is a priority for a non-profit focused on issues impacting rural America.

Former Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge is co-founder of Focus on Rural America and says broadband is essential for supporting economic opportunities, education, and healthcare.

“And right now we are really kind of in the catbird’s seat because there has been a large amount of money that has been appropriated.”

She tells Brownfield the key now is getting broadband to underserved areas as quickly as possible.

“And a lot of that is easier to say than to do.”

Judge, who also served as Iowa’s Ag Secretary from 1999 to 2007, says FCC’s new National Broadband Map is an important next step, and she sees utility poles as the most cost-efficient and effective way to deliver high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved communities.