Krause plans to work for broadband expansion

Democrat Bob Krause has pledged to work for expanded Internet access for rural American if he's elected to the U.S. Senate.

“We need to sustain the rural lifestyle and make it competitive with urban America if we are to halt the long, slow collapse of rural Iowa,” the Fairfield Democrat who hopes to replace Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said.

Krause said although there are pockets in northwest Iowa with relatively high Internet access, Eastern Iowa has large areas with very little access to high-speed Internet. A map at www.dailyyonder.com/broadband-connection-highs-and-lows-across-rural-america/2009/02/11/1921 shows high-speed Internet access.

According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, the percentage of U.S. farms with high speed Internet access varies considerably.  In Connecticut, nearly six of 10 farms had a high-speed Internet connection in 2007, compared to Mississippi where only two of 10 farms had a quick connection. Iowa is above the national average with approximately four in 10 farmers having access to the new technology.

Krause added that expansion of Internet service is a prime stimulus project that would add jobs while creating a rural economic infrastructure suitable for the rural economy in the 21st century.  "Small town businesses as well as farmers should be able to take advantage of this and expand their markets," stated Krause.