Cooperative Living January 2020 - 10

MemberFYI | by Todd Van Hoose, Contributing Writer
The Time to Invest in
Rural Infrastructure is Now
R
ural America is the backbone of our
country. We depend on the food,
fiber, fuel and energy produced in
rural communities every day. And the
success of our rural communities, home to
these vital economic sectors, depends
upon strong infrastructure, including safe,
reliable and affordable electricity and
access to broadband.
Unfortunately, our rural communities
across the country have seen their
infrastructure deteriorate, jeopardizing
their jobs, their health and the
effectiveness of their businesses.
The ability to produce resources that
keep our country moving is critical to
America's international competitiveness.
Losing that integrated network will
threaten our leadership position in global
trade and negatively impact the ability of
rural Americans to do their jobs and live
their lives.
This is why Farm Credit has helped
lead more than 250 organizations
nationwide, including the Virginia,
Maryland & Delaware Association of
Electric Cooperatives, in joining together
to form the Rebuild Rural Coalition.
These local, regional and national
groups are focused on improving rural
infrastructure. Their interests span topics
including rural broadband,
transportation, families, communities,
businesses, cooperatives and U.S.
agricultural producers.
In the past, urban areas have received
the bulk of infrastructure spending. But
the infrastructure improvements required
in rural America are fundamentally
different from those required in urban
areas. It's time to invest and rebuild rural
infrastructure.
REBUILD
RURAL
#RebuildRural
KEEPING IT CURRENT
Energy and broadband are logical places
to start. Rural Americans require reliable,
affordable electricity to power their daily
lives. They need a modern power grid
supporting that distribution. And, as
technology advances, they need access to
broadband that will connect them to the
increasingly globalizing world.
Farm Credit, through CoBank, supports
rural electric cooperatives across the
country, including BARC Electric
Cooperative, Central Virginia Electric
Cooperative and Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative. These are among co-ops that
have taken a lead role in broadband. For
instance, Central Virginia offers a great
example of investing in a significant
broadband network. Its ambitious five-year,
$110 million project will improve reliability
and speed for users while strengthening
the resilience of its electric grid.
Projects like this, happening in rural
communities around the U.S., will help
close that rural-urban divide and make
America's small cities and towns more
competitive for jobs and investment.
While federal investment plays a crucial
role in repairing and expanding
infrastructure, it cannot fully meet the vast
diversity of needs. The Coalition believes
that the best solution will be comprised of
a public-private partnership.
The needs specific to rural America will
not simply disappear. It is time we
improve rural infrastructure and, in doing
so, empower rural communities and
strengthen our economy. The time is now.
As Congress considers infrastructure
legislation both large and small, rural
America deserves a seat at the table. And
Farm Credit institutions stand ready to
partner with America's electric cooperatives
and others to get the job done. 
Todd Van Hoose is president and CEO of the
Farm Credit Council. To locate your nearest
Farm Credit lending institution, visit
farmcredit.com/locations.
8 | Cooperative Living | January 2020
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Cooperative Living January 2020

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