Illinois Program Aims to Help Rural Counties Win Broadband Funding

Several organizations, led by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, are working on Broadband Breakthrough, a pilot program that aims to help bring federally funded high-speed connectivity to five rural Illinois counties. The idea behind the program, which is funded by United Soybean Board, is to increase the percentage of farmers with broadband by preparing a wide variety of stakeholders to apply for grant money from the federal government. The financial benefits of broadband on farms will be at the heart of the applications. The idea is for the farmers, their ecosystems and county residents to have an effective voice in making the case for financial assistance. “This is the first time we are integrating farmers, farm bureau and other agricultural businesses into the conversation, which I think is really important,” said Adrianne Furniss, the Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.