Sioux City Times

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) and Representative Josh Riley (D-NY) have introduced the Middle Mile for Rural America Act, a bill aimed at reauthorizing the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program. The legislation seeks to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities.

Feenstra emphasized the importance of broadband for economic growth and community development in Iowa's rural areas. “Expanding access to high-speed broadband is critical for economic growth and community development in rural Iowa. Reliable internet connection helps our businesses on Main Street grow, our farmers monitor market fluctuations and commodity prices in real time, and our families stay connected to the world. We must do everything possible to invest in the necessary infrastructure to deliver state-of-the-art broadband to every rural community,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I introduced legislation to reauthorize the Middle Mile program to ensure that broadband providers can connect homes, farms, and businesses to the internet as efficiently as possible. Rural Iowa deserves reliable, affordable access to high-speed broadband, and this bill will help close the digital divide between rural communities and urban centers.”

Louis Finkel, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA), also commented on the proposed legislation: “Access to middle-mile infrastructure is critical to connecting rural communities with quality high-speed internet. Strong middle-mile networks can lower costs and enable faster, more reliable service for families, schools, and businesses. NRECA commends Representatives Feenstra and Riley on the introduction of the Middle Mile for Rural America Act and their recognition of the essential role of broadband in rural America.”

The bill addresses a common issue faced by many rural communities—being located between regions with existing high-speed internet but lacking infrastructure themselves. The Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program offers funding designed to expand these networks nationwide. Increasing access can strengthen network resiliency while lowering connection costs for unserved or underserved areas.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives have endorsed this legislative effort.

Feenstra has represented Iowa’s 4th district in Congress since 2021 after replacing Steve King that year (https://feenstra.house.gov/about). Before his current role, he served in the Iowa Senate from 2009 until his election to Congress (https://www.congress.gov/member/randy-feenstra/F000446). Born in Hull, Iowa in 1969, Feenstra continues to reside there today.