Report: The role of broadband in rural economic growth and resilience

Broadband access is increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure in today’s economy, with the ability to connect residents and businesses to economic opportunities nationwide, even in remote rural areas. However, rural America has lagged behind metropolitan areas in broadband investment, exacerbating economic disparities between rural and nonrural America. The lack of connectivity has hindered rural communities’ ability to participate in the 21st-century digital economy, especially with the rise of the knowledge economy. But broadband access may have the most significant potential impact on rural areas in accessing economic opportunities. While recent initiatives have expanded rural broadband access, it can become a transformative tool for rural economic development and resilience only when it is widely utilized and effectively leveraged.

The findings reveal higher broadband utilization (higher broadband adoption rates and a higher prevalence of small broadband service providers) improves the economic dynamism of rural areas.

Read the entire report below:

CORI-Beyond-Connectivity-Broadband-Rural-Economic-Growth-Report

Case studies

Beltrami County, Minnesota

In Beltrami County, collaboration is key. The local broadband cooperative extends its reach across the community, meeting today’s infrastructure needs and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

The city of Bemidji has long recognized the importance of balancing progress with the preservation of its unique Northwoods character. Central to this vision is the development of essential infrastructure that supports both the community’s daily life and its long-term aspirations. The city’s mission of “Responsible Growth with Northwoods Character, preserving our history and providing diverse opportunities for success” reflects its commitment to blending tradition with progress. This vision is well-supported by the region’s tradition of locally rooted utility cooperatives whose members share the benefits: the Beltrami Electric Cooperative and Paul Bunyan Communications.

The establishment of the Beltrami Electric Cooperative in 1940 was a response to the dire need for electrification in rural areas at a time when the quality of life gap between urban and rural communities was high — in 1935 less than 11% of American farms had access to electricity. Commercial power companies were often unwilling to invest in rural electrification, leading local farmers to band together to create their own cooperatives. This initiative not only brought electricity to the area, transforming the agricultural landscape by enhancing productivity and living standards, but also laid the groundwork for future community-driven initiatives.

Continue reading here.

Bulloch County, Georgia

Robust fiber connectivity helps Bulloch County residents and businesses make connections on local and global scales.

Once a major center for the production of sea-island cotton, tobacco, and peanuts, Bulloch County has leaned into building out the foundations on which to grow a more innovative and dynamic economy. It is home to Georgia Southern University, Ogeechee Technical College, East Georgia State College-Statesboro, and a strong local K-12 system. Major manufacturers like Hyundai and Great Dane have plants in Bulloch County. Statesboro, Bulloch’s county seat, is home to a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem through the work of Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group (BIG), and internship programs run by Southern Automated Logistics and Technology (SALT) and Bulloch Solutions, a local cooperative internet service provider, are all contributing to workforce development and supporting local businesses.

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Gallatin County, Montana

Gallatin County stands out as a leader in broadband development, where collaborative efforts between local entities ensure high-quality connectivity that fuels a thriving tech ecosystem.

Through strategic collaboration, Gallatin County has turned broadband expansion into a cornerstone of its economic strategy, supporting entrepreneurship and a dynamic tech sector. Local cooperatives are playing a key role in helping entrepreneurs. These efforts have created an environment where startups and small businesses can thrive, contributing to the region’s dynamic economic growth.

Continue reading here.

This report was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.