Congressman Gonzalez Encourages Communities to Apply For e-Connectivity Program

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the USDA has revealed a new webpage concerning the access of broadband to rural communities. This new website walks through the necessity of being connected in today's digital world for everything from agriculture and education to healthcare and small businesses.

"If you look back in our history, you will see that giving rural communities access to telephone services was a landmark achievement," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Now, high-speed internet has become the new method of communication and ensuring all Americans have access to it is just as important."

To qualify for the USDA program, organizations such as rural telephone and broadband service providers, non-profit organizations or national and regional private companies must use the funding to provide broadband services to areas with less than 20,000 residents who do not already have internet speeds of 10 megabits downstream and 1 megabit upstream.

Although applications for the e-Connectivity pilot program have yet to open, those who are interested can sign up for updates concerning the e-Connectivity initiative. Residents and organizations alike are encouraged to provide their feedback to the USDA about their needs, ideas and current broadband capabilities as to insure the program addresses all of our rural residents' concerns. To sign up for updates and provide feedback, visit the USDA website.

Congressman Gonzalez is committed to the development of our nation's broadband infrastructure and ensuring that the 19 million Americans in rural and tribal areas without high-speed internet get the access they need. In our increasingly digital world, it is imperative that no one gets left behind.