Watertown Daily Times
July 16, 2016
Farmers applaud Stefanik ag. internet access bill
With U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik introducing a bill to boost internet access to farmers, north country farmers agree that their jobs would be difficult without proper internet access these days.
Ms. Stefanik’s legislation, the Precision Farming Act of 2016, will offer financial incentives for broadband providers and farms. Service providers would receive a one-time $15,000 reimbursement for each line installed for a qualifying precision farming operation. Additionally, farmers who apply for loans to cover installation costs will have their applications prioritized per the Rural Electrification Act.
“The internet has the power to revolutionize the agriculture sector,” Ms. Stefanik said in a release announcing the bill Thursday. “To compete in a 21st Century economy, our farmers must have access to broadband technology.”
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