PITTSBURG, PA – On Wednesday, President Biden rolled out his $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, the “American Jobs Plan” focusing on investments in rural and tribal communities, including 100 percent broadband coverage, rebuilding roads and water systems, and positioning the U.S. agricultural sector to lead the shift to net-zero emissions while providing new economic opportunities for farmers. As part of the plan, Biden is proposing $5 billion for a new Rural Partnership Program to help rural regions with economic development. The plan would also close the digital divide by investing up to $100 billion in broadband infrastructure, which includes funds to provide affordable and 100 percent broadband coverage in rural America. The President’s plan also includes a $1 billion investment for agricultural resources management and climate-smart technologies that will open new market opportunities for farmers. The plan invests in drought resilience technology for agricultural producers and aims at addressing an investment drought in rural communities by transforming idled industrial and energy sites into new hubs of economic growth and job creation. The President’s proposal would also invest $10 billion to partner with rural electric cooperatives to replace existing power plants with more modern and clean energy systems.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)