House Majority Whip Clyburn: Stimulus funds must pay attention to rural areas

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) emphasized the importance of widespread broadband deployment and adoption for economic recovery and social justice at a recent event sponsored by BroadbandCensus.com.

During the New Deal, Clyburn noted, "most of the communities I represent were left out." In crafting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus bill, Clyburn was determined to make sure that this time all Americans -- including people in heavily minority and rural communities -- would benefit from government programs to create jobs and turn the economy around. 

Clyburn emphasized that the stimulus bill's broadband provisions are central to that mission. Broadband access is critical to making life better for people living in rural areas. Improvements in health care, education, and job creation all depend on robust, affordable broadband access. The Recovery Act will help bring these benefits to minority, low-income, and rural communities.

House Whip: Recovery Package Must Not Leave Rural Areas Behind (Broadband Census)