LEMOYNE, Pa. — The PA State Grange issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s Jan. 8 Executive Orders regarding Broadband access for rural Americans:
The PA State Grange applauds the issuance of Executive Orders by President Donald Trump to facilitate rural access to technology. The Grange has a proud track record in helping bring about Rural Electrification in the last century. To us, Broadband access reflects the same type of critical need for this century.
The first Executive Order spells out the Administration’s priority to “use all viable tools to accelerate the deployment and adoption of affordable, reliable, modern high-speed Broadband connectivity in rural America, including rural homes, farms, small businesses, manufacturing and production sites, tribal communities, transportation systems and healthcare and education facilities.”
The second directs the Secretary of the Interior to report on a plan within 180 days to “support rural Broadband development and adoption by increasing access to tower facilities and other infrastructure assets.”
The PA State Grange believes that these Executive Orders form the foundation of a national priority to bring technological equity to rural areas. Most important, it shows the willingness of the Federal Government to utilize its vast existing infrastructure as a resource to Broadband expansion. Granted, it is not enough to solve the problem of access by itself but it does show a commitment to work with the private sector and community-based organizations such as the Grange who also see this as an urgent issue for rural America.
— PA State Grange