Vilsack: Recovery Act would stabilize backbone of America

While most Americans live in large urban areas, many would be surprised to learn that they physically inhabit only about 3 percent of America's land. Meanwhile, private land use in rural America - our farms, ranches and pastures - accounts for more than 70 percent of our national landscape.

Rural America truly is the backbone of our great nation. However, rural America is the often-overlooked cousin to its more populated urban counterpart. We frequently forget that many of us can live a life of convenience and abundance because of the hard work done by individuals in rural areas.

America depends on farmers to produce our daily food and fiber - and they are exceedingly good at doing so. One farmer today feeds approximately 130 people, whereas in 1960, a farmer fed about 26 people. This efficiency means that our food is the cheapest in the world. We cannot afford to overlook rural. America any longer.

With President Obama, we finally have leadership that understands rural America's contributions and strength. Nowhere is that more evident than through our efforts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the Recovery Act). Through our work in the Recovery Act, we have taken action that is long overdue and are funding essential programs that benefit rural America.

The Recovery Act provides $7.2 billion for broadband services to rural and underserved communities. Many individuals, schools, libraries, and health-care facilities will obtain broadband capabilities for the first time. Connecting rural America's producers to consumers all over the world will expand opportunities in rural communities and create new jobs. This means better and quicker access to information and that rural areas will have the infrastructure they need to operate and compete in a 21st century economy.

Approximately $9 billion was allocated under the Recovery Act for rural water projects through various departments. For example, USDA received $1.3 billion for our Water and Environmental Program, which will provide new or improved water quality and wastewater infrastructure systems for an estimated 2.6 million rural Americans. These projects will not only create jobs but vastly improve the quality of life for rural Americans.

The Recovery Act is also providing $1.7 billion for the construction or improvement of community facilities in rural areas. Twenty-four million rural residents will have access to new or improved essential community services, which include public safety facilities and equipment, health care clinics and hospitals, libraries, courthouses, and other various essential community projects.

The Department of Energy received $10 million to support the development of SmartGrid, which will not only save you money on your electricity bill each month and take us one step closer to energy independence; it also will make your electricity more reliable - no more blackouts. It will unleash the potential of wind and solar energy generated by rural America by helping to transmit that power to the rest of the country.

There are so many great examples of our government working for Rural America. I urge you to visit our Web site - www.usda.gov/recovery - to see exactly what is going on in your community.

With the help of the Recovery Act, we will help America through these tough times to better times. In my home state of Iowa alone, it is estimated that 37,000 jobs will be created or saved as a direct result of the Recovery Act.

The Recovery Act is more than just a quick jump-start to the economy; it is about long-term wealth creation. We are providing lasting quality jobs for individuals within rural communities, creating and retaining capital within those communities, and building strong, sustainable rural towns.

Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa, is U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.