NTCA Statement on U.S. House Passage of Farm Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Kelly Wismer, 703-351-2015, [email protected]

Arlington, Va. (June 21, 2018) – NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the passage of H.R. 2, The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill), today by the U.S. House of Representatives:

“NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association appreciates the House’s focus on ensuring U.S. Department of Agriculture broadband programs are helping meet the needs of rural Americans, and we thank those who continue to support efforts to enhance the availability of robust and affordable broadband in rural America. NTCA members welcomed the opportunity to testify before the House Agriculture Committee to share the importance of streamlining telecom program application processes, accounting for ongoing federal broadband efforts, investing for the long-term, and looking to providers with a proven track record of success deploying and maintaining services in rural communities. We look forward to continuing to work with members of the House and Senate to ensure that sufficient resources are available through new and expanded rural broadband programs administered by USDA, and that these programs will be coordinated thoughtfully with other federal, rural broadband programs to promote the most effective and efficient possible use of such resources.” 

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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year.