It was my pleasure as State Director of USDA Rural Development in Nevada to welcome officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (a part of Rural Development) to Reno earlier this week to discuss exciting opportunities to extend broadband to unserved and underserved parts of the United States.

As President Obama said in his State of the Union Address, “In this country, the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than on their potential.” Broadband will extend improved educational opportunities to rural America’s schools, including those located on Tribal lands.  Creating jobs is a top priority of this administration, and the infrastructure to be constructed with the $4.8 billion in loan and grant funds being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will assist communities as they work to attract new business opportunities.

The President was clear in his message, “There are projects … all across this country that will create jobs and help move our nation’s goods, services, and information.” Nothing moves information better than broadband.  Whether it is a crop report, weather data, hospital files, security information or just a recipe for a new cookie recipe that a budding business owner will use to start a venture, broadband is indispensible.  Here in Nevada it will enable a painter or craft maker to sell goods over the Internet to buyers not only on the East Coast, but in Eastern Europe, and around the world.

There will be a series of additional broadband workshops across the nation over the next few weeks.  The schedule includes the following stops: January 29, Denver; February 1, San Antonio, TX; February 2, Eureka, MO; February 4, Sioux Falls, SD; February 5, Detroit, MI; February 9, Blacksburg, VA; February 11, Fayetteville, NC; and February 12, Atlanta, GA.  If you want more information go to:  http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Jonathan Adelstein discusses broadband funding opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act during a meeting in Reno

USDA Rural Development Nevada State Director Sarah Adler welcomes attendees to the broadband workshop

Submitted by Sarah Adler, State Director, USDA Rural Development, Nevada

Things were “rolling” at Park Lanes in Newton, Illinois Thursday morning for Rural Development’s Road Show.  This was our fifth Road Show where we shared how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) can help do what’s needed in rural communities.  This time we met with “scores” of our east central Illinois neighbors at a restaurant and bowling alley where everyone “spared” no time in asking questions.

The amazing thing in Newton was the quality of ideas and the questions we heard, both during the presentation and when our specialists met informally with our guests to talk about things like building expansions and storm sirens.

In Round Two of our Road Shows (four previously held last November) we had something new to talk about…the ARRA funding set aside for public libraries. Illinois has a network of 641 libraries, and ARRA will make it possible to make repairs and improvements, expand or construct a needed new building, or buy the equipment needed to deliver services.   We also added information about the second round of funding for Broadband deployment and the  ”Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” initiative.  By the time we got back to our offices, the phones were ringing with more questions about how we can help.

I want to thank Ken Larimore (Jasper Co.) and Barbara Webster (Crawford Co.) with the U of I Extension for their help, leadership and commitment to economic development.  We also had support from Rosie Gibbons, director of Effingham County Extension.  To the county board chairmen and members, mayors and city managers, and others who participated, thank you for taking the time to learn how USDA Rural Development can help improve your communities.  We had a “striking” exchange at Park Lanes, and I look forward to “getting the ball rolling” in many area communities.

A large group attended a “Recovery Act Roadshow” in Newton, Illinois.

Submitted by Illinois State Director Colleen Callahan